Winter Fire Safety

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are working together to remind everyone that home fires are more prevalent in winter than in any other season. This is due in part to an increase in cooking and heating fires. Holiday decorations and winter storms that can interrupt electrical service and cause people to turn to alternative heating sources also contribute to the increased risk of fire in winter.

Winter fires can be prevented! The following fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire-safe home this winter season.

Winter Fire Safety Spotlight

Smoking Fire Safety

It may be cold outside, but if you smoke, it's better to smoke outside. If you smoke outside, put your cigarettes out in a can filled with sand.

Smoking fire safety action steps »

Winter Safety Tips

Cooking	Carbon Monoxide
Holiday Decorations	Winter Storms
Candles	Electrical
Heating	Smoking

Winter Fire Publications

In addition to the publications below, please see titles listed on each of the Winter Safety Tips pages.

• Winter Fires: Safety Tips for the Home
• Topical Fire Research Series: Winter Residential Building Fires (PDF, 1.0 Mb)
• Topical Fire Research Series: Thanksgiving Day Fires in Residential Buildings (PDF, 738 Kb)
• The Seasonal Nature of Fires

Winter Fire Safety Public Service Announcements (PSAs)

PSA	Listen	Script
Cooking Fire Safety	(:30 MP3)	Script
Holiday Decoration Fire Safety	(:30 MP3)	Script
Candle Fire Safety	(:30 MP3)	Script

Winter Fire Safety Web Ads for Your Use

Cooking

<a href="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/cooking.shtm" style="border-width: 0"> <img src="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/_images/psa/cooking.jpg" alt="Cooking Fire Safety Tips for the Holiday Season" /> </a>

Holiday Decorations

<a href="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/holiday-seasonal/holiday.shtm" style="border-width: 0"> <img src="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/_images/psa/holiday_focus.jpg" alt="Holiday Fire Safety" /> </a>

Candles

<a href="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/focus/candles.shtm" style="border-width: 0"> <img src="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/_images/psa/candle_safety.jpg" alt="Candle Fire Safety" /> </a>

Heating

<a href="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/heating/hotspot.shtm" style="border-width: 0"> <img src="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/_images/psa/homeheating.jpg" alt="Home Heating Fire Safety - Check your hotspots!" /> </a>

Carbon Monoxide

<a href="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/co/fswy17.shtm" style="border-width: 0"> <img src="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/_images/psa/co2_safety.jpg" alt="Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Killer" /> </a>

Winter Storms

<a href="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/holiday-seasonal/winter_storms.shtm" style="border-width: 0"> <img src="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/_images/psa/winterstorm.jpg" alt="Winter Storm Fire Safety" /> </a>

Electrical

<a href="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/electrical.shtm" style="border-width: 0"> <img src="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/_images/psa/safetycircuit.jpg" alt="Electrical Safety" /> </a>

Smoking

<a href="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/campaigns/smoking/index.shtm" style="border-width: 0"> <img src="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/_images/psa/smoking.jpg" alt="Smoking & Home Fires" /> </a>

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Related Topics

• Public Service Announcements

Links of Interest

• Ready.gov
• Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Learning Resource Center WorldCat Site – Winter Fire Safety
• National Fire Protection Association

By the Numbers:
Winter Residential Building Fires

• Winter residential building fires result in an estimated average of 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries, and $1,708,000,000 in property loss each year.
• Fires in one- and two-family dwellings account for 67 percent of all winter residential building fires.
• Cooking is the leading cause of all winter residential building fires.
• Winter residential building fires occur mainly in the early evening hours, peaking from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Although at its highest in December, residential building fire incidence is collectively highest in the 3 winter months of January, February, and March.

Source: Winter Residential Building Fires (PDF, 1.0 Mb)

Download this form-fillable poster (PDF, 556 Kb)

NFPA Winter Podcast Series

• Cooking Fire Safety
• Holiday Decorations
• Candles
• Home Heating
• Carbon Monoxide
• Winter Storms
• Electrical
• Smoking

The United States Fire Administration recommends everyone have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers, and a home fire escape plan.