In the fire safety business, one can be forgiven for assuming that wildfire season drives most of America’s annual fire risk. With the Holidays approaching, fire officials across the U.S. are warning communities that December is among the highest‑risk months for residential fires, driven by Christmas trees, candles, space heaters, and seasonal activities.
Los Angeles County fire chiefs reminded residents to check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as emergency calls increase sharply during the holidays—and December is statistically the leading month for U.S. home fires. In Charlotte, North Carolina, firefighters battled a house fire caused by an unattended candle, resulting in an estimated $325,000 in structural damage in early December—another vivid example of how easily festive touches can turn into danger.
Many municipalities have issued new holiday fire safety advisories in 2025, urging heightened awareness of the risks posed by decorations and lighting. Check with your local fire authority for any new regulations that may affect your holiday event planning.
Top 10 Holiday Fire Risks for Residential Property Managers
Residential property managers are often tasked with balancing festive décor against occupant safety, and one overlooked hazard can spell disaster. If property managers are to have any hope of enjoying their own festive time with family and friends, they will need to complete fire safety preparations in advance.
Below are ten holiday fire risks most relevant to fire watch planning, compliance, and resident education this December
1. Christmas Trees & Dry Greenery
Dry trees ignite rapidly and burn hot when near heat sources or overloaded lighting. According to fire safety data, tree‑related electrical failures are a major contributor to holiday fire risk.
Manager action: enforce policies on live tree maintenance (limit age, ensure watering) and specify safe clearances from radiators and vents.
2. Decorative Lighting Overloads
Holiday string lights—especially older or damaged ones—can overheat when left on for extended periods, increasing the risk of an electrical fire.
Manager action: require UL‑listed lights, set limits on socket loads, and schedule nightly shut‑offs or timers.
3. Candles & Open Flames
Candles are a leading cause of residential fires—particularly when left unattended near flammable décor.
Manager action: prohibit candles in common areas and strongly discourage residents from using candles; provide LED alternatives.
4. Space Heaters & Portable Heating
Cold weather increases space heater use—one of the top causes of residential fires in December. WRNJ Radio
Manager action: enforce clearances, restrict plug usage, and recommend only safety‑certified units.
5. Cooking & Festive Entertaining
Large seasonal meals and multi‑dish cooking increase the risk of unattended stovetop or oven fires.
Manager action: circulate kitchen safety tips just before peak-cooking days and monitor common‑area kitchens with frequent fire-watch checks.
6. Exterior Holiday Lighting Installation Hazards
Ladder use and power tools increase the risk of electrical shorts or contact with live wires during exterior décor installation.
Manager action: require licensed contractors for large displays and inspect outlets and extension cables before use.
7. Improper Extension Cord & Outlet Use
Extra decorations mean extra cords—often daisy‑chained or overloaded —a common fire-ignition source.
Manager action: educate residents on safer alternatives (power strips, surge protectors) and enforce limits on temporary cabling.
8. Battery Disposal & Storage Fires
Holiday gifts and décor often involve lithium‑ion battery‑powered devices. Improper disposal or storage can lead to spontaneous combustion or fires in trash areas.
Manager action: provide safe battery drop‑off boxes and post waste pickup reminders for safe battery handling.
9. Blocked Egress & Combustible Displays
Overly packed hallways with décor, gifts, or packaging material can block fire escapes or fuel a blaze.
Manager action: enforce egress pathways free of obstacles and limit combustibles in public corridors.
10. Inadequate Fire Watch & Detection Systems
More holiday activity means a greater chance that something gets missed. Smoke detectors, alarms, and a proactive fire watch plan are critical in a season with heightened risk. NFPA
Manager action: schedule regular fire watch rounds during high‑risk periods (evenings/weekends), confirm alarms are operational, and ensure evacuation plans are communicated.
Stay Safe By Planning Ahead
December’s festive energy brings joy—but also measurable hazard. Residential property managers can play a pivotal role in reducing holiday fire risk by combining resident education, proactive infrastructure checks, and a structured fire watch protocol that anticipates seasonal threats.
Contact National Firewatch
In the next few weeks, you may encounter unforeseen circumstances: a panel replacement, a power outage, or one of the seasonal risks listed above. When that happens, you’ll need to source vendors quickly, and some may not be so quick to respond during the Holiday Season.
National Firewatch is ready to respond 24/7 to fire watch requests, and our office staff is in each day in December excluding the 25th. If your team needs fire watch guards in a hurry, we can have our team members on site in most US cities within hours. Contact us when you need same-day fire watch deployments this Holiday Season.