With Fall and Winter Holidays Come Higher Risks of Home Fires

The holiday season, beginning with Thanksgiving and extending through winter, sees a significant rise in the incidence of fires and burns. This increase is driven by several activities common in colder weather and holiday celebrations. Cooking-related fires are a primary contributor, especially during Thanksgiving, when family gatherings often include large meal preparations and heavy use of cooking equipment. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports an average of 1,600 cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day, more than three times the normal daily average. Fires can start in ovens or on stove tops. Turkey fryers pose a high risk. A unit can topple over, spilling oil that may ignite. When a turkey is not thoroughly thawed, steam buildup can cause the fryer to explode. Severe burns and house fires can result, especially if the fryer is used indoors or near flammable materials.

Fireplaces add warmth and ambiance during the holidays, but they can become dangerous if not properly maintained or used. Chimney blockages and creosote buildup can lead to chimney fires that bring smoke into the home and allow hearth fires to spread. Failure to use a fireplace screen can let embers escape, potentially igniting nearby furniture or carpets. 

Electric space heaters are another common fire hazard during the colder months. According to the CPSC, these heaters are involved in a substantial number of winter fires, particularly if they are left unattended or placed too close to flammable materials. Faulty wiring or malfunctions in these devices can also lead to fires.

Holiday decorations, such as Christmas trees, string lights and extension cords, further increase fire risk, with approximately 14,800 decoration-related injuries occurring annually. Overloaded electrical outlets and damaged cords are frequent causes of electrical fires. Leaving lights on overnight or when no one is home also raises the risk of a fire. Tree fires can occur due to insufficient hydration coupled with hot lights.

Preventing holiday fires requires taking special precautions. In the kitchen, never leave frying or cooking unattended, especially with devices like turkey fryers that can easily tip or spill. Fireplace users should have chimneys inspected and cleaned annually to avoid creosote buildup and should use a fireplace screen to contain embers. Space heaters should be placed on level, nonflammable surfaces, kept at least three feet away from flammable objects, and turned off when leaving the room or going to bed. When using holiday lights, check for damaged wires, don’t overload outlets and unplug lights not in use.

For those injured in holiday-related fires, an experienced burn injury attorney can evaluate the legal remedies that might be available. Burn victims may pursue compensation through claims against manufacturers if the injuries resulted from defective products like turkey fryers or space heaters. Premises liability could also apply if the injury occurred on someone else’s property and was due to negligence, such as inadequate maintenance or unsafe conditions. These legal remedies can help cover medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering and other expenses associated with burn injuries.

If you or a family member has suffered a burn injury, the lawyers at Feinberg & Alban, P.C. can help you pursue all sources of reimbursement. From our offices in downtown Boston, Brookline and Worcester, we serve clients in all of Massachusetts. Call today at 617-232-5950 or contact us online to set up your free initial consultation.