Stay Safe This Christmas: Fire Safety Tips for Homes and Workplaces

🎄🔥 How to reduce fire risks around Christmas trees, lights, decorations, candles and electrics.

Christmas is a wonderful time for celebrations but the added decorations, lighting, electricals and sometimes real Christmas trees also increase the risk of fire in both homes and offices. Every year, the fire services respond to preventable festive fires caused by dry Christmas trees, faulty fairy lights, overloaded extension leads, and candles placed too close to flammable decorations.

This guide from Kings Fire Ltd will help you enjoy Christmas safely, whether you're decorating your home, office, school, shop, or workplace.

🎄 Christmas Trees: The Hidden Fire Risk

Christmas trees are part of the festive atmosphere but a dry tree can ignite in seconds.

🔥 Key Facts:

• Dry trees burn much faster and hotter than artificially or well-watered trees.

• Fires are most often started by electrical lights, candles, or faulty plugs.

Choosing a Safe Tree
✅ Green needles that don't break when bent
✅ Sticky sap on the trunk (shows it's fresh)
❌ Needles falling off when the trunk is tapped the tree is already drying out

Placement & Care

• Keep trees away from heat sources (radiators, fireplaces, heaters).

• Do not place near doorways or escape routes in offices.

• Keep the tree stand topped up with water every day.

• If in a workplace, assign someone to check the water level daily.

Watch the demonstration below:
Christmas tree fire test, you won't believe how fast it catches fire!

This video clearly shows how quickly a dry Christmas tree can ignite versus one that's been properly cared for.

💡 Christmas Lights & Electrical Safety

Faulty Christmas lighting and overloaded sockets are one of the leading causes of seasonal fires.

Before putting lights up:

• Inspect for frayed wires, cracked bulbs, or damaged insulation.

• Only use lights approved to British Standards (BS EN certs).

• For outdoor lighting, ensure it is IP-rated for weather resistance.

Extension Lead Safety
⚠️ Do not daisy-chain extension leads.
⚠️ Do not overload sockets, especially in offices already powering computers, heaters, printers etc.

If you need additional outlets, use a professionally installed power strip or additional socket, not extra adapters.

🎁 Christmas Decorations

Decorations can easily catch fire if placed too close to heat.

Safe Decoration Tips

• Choose flame-retardant or non-flammable decorations.

• Keep garlands and tinsel away from heaters, lamps, and candles.

• In workplaces ensure decorations do not block fire alarm sensors or cover exit signage.

🕯️ Candle Safety

Candles create ambience but can start fires within seconds.

✅ Safer Alternative: Use battery-operated LED candles, they look realistic and are risk-free.

If using real candles:

• Keep at least 30cm from anything that can burn (curtains, trees, displays).

• Use stable holders that won't tip.

• Never leave unattended, blow out before leaving the room.

• Never place candles on or near a Christmas tree.

• In offices candles should be avoided altogether and are often prohibited in fire policies.

🏢 Festive Safety in the Workplace

If decorating a workplace:

• Ensure your Fire Risk Assessment covers seasonal changes.

• Keep fire exits, fire extinguishers, and escape routes clear.

• Do not cover call points, detectors, or sprinklers with decorations.

• Nominate a Festive Safety Monitor (simple responsibility, big difference).

🎅 From All of Us at Kings Fire Ltd

We hope you have a safe, enjoyable, and festive Christmas season whether at home or at work.

If you need advice on fire safety, staff fire training, or fire extinguisher servicing, our team is here to help.