6 Common Causes of House Fires in the Winter

Unfortunately, the holiday season isn’t all candy canes and brightly colored lights. Outside of the usual piles of snow, did you know that the winter months also bring a staggering increase in house fires? Of all the residential fires that occur in the U.S. every year, 47,000 take place in the winter, claiming more than 500 lives, causing around 2,200 injuries, and costing an estimated $554 million in property damage.

But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean Christmas is canceled! Let’s explore why there’s an uptick in fires this time of year, what exactly is causing it, and how you can prevent it from happening in your own home.

Are House Fires More Common in the Winter Months?

It may come as no surprise that house fires occur more in the winter than in any other season, with December, January, and February being the peak months. That’s because the fire load in residential buildings significantly increases. A fire load refers to the total amount of combustible items in any given space and how it will affect the severity of a potential fire.

In the wintertime, dried-out Christmas trees are being left inside, festive candles are being lit, and highly flammable decorations are being hung. These otherwise cheerful items can quickly become kindling, giving an accidental fire in your home fuel to grow. That’s why fires in the winter are generally more severe than fires on an average day; they also tend to result in slightly higher losses, have greater rates of injury, and cost more to repair.

However, just because these things pose a fire hazard doesn’t mean you can’t have them in your home. It’s important to understand the potential risks so you can stop a disaster before it starts.

Common Causes of House Fires in the Winter

Space Heaters

We get it, we’re cold, too! Wisconsin certainly isn’t known for its balmy winters. However, if you’re going to use space heaters to stay warm in the upcoming months, it’s important to take the necessary precautions. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), space heaters actually account for up to 46% of all U.S. home fires!

Most of the time, the fires occur due to the space heater being too close to upholstered furniture, clothing, bedding, or other flammable materials. However, they can also be caused by equipment malfunctions or a lack of maintenance.

Tips for Prevention:

• Consider replacing your old space heaters with newer, more modern ones.
• If your space heater has an automatic shut-off function, enable it.
• Keep the space heater three feet away from anything flammable.
• Do not use a space heater on carpet! Keep it on concrete, tile, or a heat-resistant mat.
• Make sure the floor beneath the space heater is level to prevent it from tipping over.
• Do not drape anything over the space heater’s cord.
• Always turn off or unplug your space heater when leaving the room.

Candles

The winter months are all about being cozy, and that often involves lighting a few candles. However, while those candy-cane or sugar cookie-scented candles may smell nice, they can be a dangerous fire hazard! In fact, Christmas Day is the highest reported day for candle fires.

Every year, nearly 5,830 home fires are caused by candles, resulting in about 66 deaths, 572 injuries, and nearly $270 million in property damage. Nearly half the time, it’s because something flammable, like fabric or home decor, was left too close to a lit candle.

Cooking

The start of the holiday season means tasty meals and desserts galore! With so much action happening in the kitchen, it should be no surprise that the winter months usually see a rise in cooking-related house fires.

In fact, in 2023, cooking was actually the leading cause of home fires, accounting for nearly 50% of the 344,600 residential fires reported that year. Unattended cooking is usually the culprit, as well as too-high temperatures, accidental grease fires, and flammable items being left on the stovetop.

Tips for Prevention:

• Try not to leave your kitchen, especially when grilling, frying, or boiling.
• If you do leave your kitchen, set a timer so you know when to come back.
• Keep your stovetop clear of flammable items like oven mitts or food packaging.
• In the event of a grease fire, do not throw water on it! Instead, smother the flames.
• Turn pot handles towards the back of the stove to prevent them from being knocked over.
• Regularly clean grease residue or food debris from your stovetop.
• Try to keep a fire extinguisher either in or nearby the kitchen.

Christmas Trees

While there’s nothing more fun than decorating a Christmas tree around the holidays, it’s important to remember the risks they pose. Although Christmas tree fires occur less frequently (about 160 a year), they’re more likely to be fatal when compared to other types of fires. According to the NFPA, one out of every 52 tree fires results in a death.

About 25% of Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems or heat sources. This includes string lights, fireplaces, space heaters, or candles being kept too close to the tree. In controlled tests by fire researchers, it’s been found that a dry Christmas tree can be engulfed in flames in less than 10 seconds, while a well-watered tree usually does not allow the flames to spread beyond one section of the branches.

Tips for Prevention:

• Confirm your tree is fresh by pulling on the needles; they should be hard to remove.
• Check your tree’s water levels daily, and refill when running low.
• Don’t allow your pets or young children to play under or closely around the tree.
• Set your tree up away from heat sources such as fireplaces, vents, and radiators.
• Replace your old string lights with LED lights, which produce less heat.
• Check string lights for broken sockets, frayed wires, or loose connections.
• If you buy an artificial tree, look for ones advertised as “fire-resistant”.

Fireplaces or Chimneys

While many people love having a fireplace at home, especially in the cold winter months, it’s important to remember that they still pose a serious fire hazard. In fact, did you know that gas fireplaces can reach up to 1,200 °F when lit, while wood fireplaces can get up to 2,000 °F!

According to the NFPA, there are approximately 25,000 chimney fires each year, resulting in about 120 million dollars in damage. One of the most frequent causes is the failure to clean out the creosote, which is a highly flammable, tar-like substance that builds up in chimneys over time as a result of burning wood.

Tips for Prevention:

• Have your chimney annually inspected and cleaned by a professional
• Get a chimney cap installed to keep out debris, such as leaves and twigs.
• Use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks or embers from escaping.
• Avoid using gasoline or fire starters.
• Avoid burning trash, treated wood, or Christmas tree branches.
• Burn well-seasoned hardwood, such as oak, maple, or hickory.
• Keep flammable items at least three feet away when the fireplace is lit.

Lithium-Ion Batteries

In recent years, there’s been an increase in fires started by lithium-ion batteries. Most of the fires are triggered by the batteries becoming overheated or damaged, or as a result of manufacturing issues. Since fires caused by lithium-ion batteries can produce their own oxygen (due to internal chemical reactions), they’re more difficult to extinguish.

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in devices like smartphones, tablets, portable gaming systems, and e-readers. Around the holidays, when people are being gifted new technology, residential homes are seeing an increase in lithium-ion batteries coming through the doors, increasing the risk of fires.

Tips for Prevention:

• Do not charge lithium-ion batteries if you see signs of swelling or leaking.
• Avoid leaving lithium-ion powered devices in direct sunlight for long periods.
• Always use the charger that came with your device or is recommended by the manufacturer.
• Recycle lithium-ion batteries at designated waste disposal sites.
• Unplug devices once they are fully charged, and avoid charging overnight.
• If a device gets hot while charging, unplug it immediately and let it cool down.

How to Practice Fire Safety in the Winter

While there’s no way to completely prevent fires, there are certain things you can do to be better prepared in the event of one. That way, if a fire does happen, you can minimize the likelihood of property damage or personal injury. Protect yourself, your family, and your home by making sure to:

1. Install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in your home. Periodically replace the batteries and test that everything is working.
2. Regularly inspecting electrical systems, appliances, and heating sources. If you find a problem, promptly repair or replace it.
3. Store fire extinguishers on every floor of your home or in high-risk rooms (like the kitchen or living room). Replace your fire extinguishers every 10 years, even if it hasn’t been used.
4. Develop a fire escape plan, making sure you’ve identified two exits from every room in your home. Conduct fire drills with your family until they’ve memorized the plan.
5. Ensure that all your windows and doors can be easily opened. You may want to consider purchasing fire ladders for upstairs bedrooms, especially if the windows are high off the ground.

Experienced a House Fire? Fortitude is Here to Help

If you’re struggling to recover from a house fire this winter, then contact Fortitude Public Adjusters today. We’re Wisconsin’s most trusted insurance professionals for a reason, and we’re here to help you through the fire damage claim process. We’ll assess damages, negotiate with your insurance company, maximize your settlement, and ensure your rights as a policyholder are protected. It’s time to get the money you deserve!