Christmas Fire Hazards: What to Watch Out for This Festive Season?
The Christmas period is a time to slow down, celebrate with loved ones, and decorate your home for the holidays. But it’s also a time when fire risks quietly increase.
Every year, fire crews across Australia respond to house fires caused by dry Christmas trees, faulty fairy lights, overloaded power boards and decorations placed too close to heat sources. These fires can be fast, fierce, and devastating and in many cases, entirely preventable.
A Real Christmas Tree Fire That Changed Everything
In December last year, a family in Glen Waverley (Victoria) were decorating their home for Christmas when their tree caught fire. The father was home with his two young daughters when the smoke alarm sounded. Flames had already taken hold of the tree. He tried to put it out but the fire spread quickly.
He managed to get both children out safely but the house couldn’t be saved. Fire crews later confirmed the blaze was started by an electrical fault in the tree’s lighting.
This isn’t a rare event. It’s a real reminder that these fires happen fast and often without warning.
What Increases Fire Risk at Christmas?
There are a few common hazards to watch for:
- Christmas trees that have dried out and aren’t being watered
- Older lights or cables that are damaged or running hot
- Too many decorations or lights plugged into a single outlet
- Candles burning near curtains, furniture or the Christmas tree
- Trees or decorations placed too close to BBQs or other cooking appliances
Most of these risks don’t seem urgent until something goes wrong. That’s why a little bit of planning makes all the difference.
Simple Ways to Stay Fire-Safe
Here’s what we recommend to keep your home and family safe this season:
- Check your lights before putting them up
Look for any frayed wires, cracked bulbs or overheating. If in doubt, replace them. - Don’t overload your power points
Use only one high-wattage item per socket. Avoid piggybacking adapters or stacking plugs. - Keep trees away from heat
Make sure your tree (real or artificial) – isn’t too close to heaters, open flames or sources of heat. - Water your real tree daily
A dry pine tree can catch fire in seconds. Keeping it, fresh helps slow down fire spread. - Blow out candles before leaving the room
It only takes one moment for something nearby to catch. Use LED candles as a safer option. - Turn off lights at night or when you’re out
Timers or smart plugs can help if you tend to forget. - Make sure your smoke alarms are working
They should be tested monthly to ensure all alarms sound alarm.
A Final Note from the Sotera Team
We all love the magic that comes with Christmas lights and decorations. But safety should always come first.
Whether you’re putting up a tree, lighting candles or hanging decorations, take a few extra moments to make sure everything is set up safely. It could be the difference between a happy holiday and a heartbreaking one.
From all of us at Sotera, we wish you a safe, joyful and fire-free Christmas.