The holidays bring joy, but unfortunately, they also bring increased risk of fires in homes. Candle, electrical and cooking fires occur the most during the holiday season.

Bryan Davis, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Disaster Assessment and Recovery South Region area chief, Seguin, offers five reminders for families across the state to keep in mind as the holidays progress.

Burning candles spilling into a holiday decoration and catching fire.
Always use caution when burning candles in the house. Remember to extinguish them and never place them near flammable objects or on flammable furniture. (Adobe Stock photo)

Tip 1: Be mindful of candles in the home

Davis cautions against forgetting to extinguish candles, because it can be an easy mistake. Remember to put them out before you leave the house or go to bed. If needed, he encourages setting a reminder on your phone when you light them, especially if you have forgotten to put them out in the past.

Similarly, keep your candles away from flammable items like curtains and Christmas trees. Use sturdy candle holders with a drip plate for hot wax. Also, keep candles in sight to reduce the chances of someone knocking them over. Always remember that pets can easily knock over candles.

Replace your candles before they burn all the way down. Never place candles directly on surfaces like mantles, furniture or countertops.

Tip 2: Use electrical lighting alternatives

Although candles are nice and contribute to a holiday ambiance, they can cause fires. A safer way to light up your home for the holidays is to use battery-operated flameless candles. They provide ambiance and some also produce fragrance.

When putting up lights inside or outside your house, check for damaged or old wiring. This can be a fire hazard, so replace any faulty wires. Using LED lights are also the best option because they generate less heat than filament bulbs.

Tip 3: Be careful with holiday greenery

While holiday greenery and Christmas trees are a tradition and house fires caused by them are relatively rare, they do occur. Davis reminds us that real trees can burn extremely rapidly, which increases the danger.

One trick is to pick a tree that is still fresh and to preserve its freshness when you get home.

When shopping for a real tree, two signs of freshness will be a deep green color and that its needles do not shed when you shake its limbs. Once you get home, cut a few inches from the tree’s base and submerge it in water to get moisture to the needles. After a few hours, place the tree in a holder with a water reservoir and check the water level daily.

Be especially mindful of light strands on trees and inspect them for any frays or exposed wiring. When choosing an artificial tree, buy one labeled “fire resistant” to add that layer of fire protection.

A string of Christmas lights along a sidewalk.
A man wearing a maroon shirt and jeans and a maroon apron raises a fried turkey out of a frier pot on a cable braced by a ladder while students observe
Stringing lights and cooking are holiday traditions. Awareness and simple proactive decisions can help prevent tragic situations related to electrical and cooking fires. (Laura McKenzie, Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Tip 4: Practice extra caution when cooking

Cooking fires are most common between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Therefore, there is no better time than now to plan for fire prevention. Davis recommends storing a Class K fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen because it can put out grease fires.

If you’re smoking or frying a turkey, make sure your equipment is a safe distance from the house, as you don’t want embers to ignite fallen leaves or dry grass. You also don’t want an oil fire to catch your deck or garage ceiling on fire. Level, barren ground or a concrete or rock surface can be safer spots to grill, smoke or use a fryer.

Thaw turkeys completely before placing them in a fryer. The key is to avoid adding too much oil to the pot. If you do, the turkey may cause a spill onto the burner. You also want to lower the turkey in slowly to avoid a splash of oil contacting the burner and then catching fire.

Tip 5: Learn the fundamentals of fireplace safety

Fireplaces may not get much use in the more southern parts of Texas, however safety should be a priority when using them. Make sure the flume is clear of any debris like soot buildup or bird nests before the first fire. Also, use fire screens to stop embers from escaping. Always make sure the fire is out before going to bed.

Keep trees, decorations and other flammable material a safe distance from them as well.

“It’s just a good practice to think about safety as it relates to these seasonal activities,” Davis said. “The holidays can be busy and stressful but following these simple tips will help prevent fires. This way, you can enjoy your time with family and friends.”

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