1. Appliances and Equipment

Any device that generates heat (stoves, clothes dryers, heaters) or heats up with extended use (computers, fans) is a potential fire hazard. Cooking vessels that are left unattended are a frequent cause of avoidable fires.

2. Candles

Every candle comes with a warning: “a burning candle should never be left unattended.” Yet, many candles are often forgotten and can burn out of control. Candle fires are most likely to occur on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Christmas Eve.

3. Holiday Decorations

Candles aren’t alone in causing tragic fires during the winter holiday season. Christmas tree lights and other lit decorations are obvious culprits. Live trees that are not watered properly and left to dry out are an easy target for incineration by hot lights.

4. Electrical Systems and Devices

Any device that uses electrical power has the potential to start a fire, and overheated lighting equipment comes in at the top of the list. Shoddy electrical work within a home — poorly connected circuits, loose wires, improper grounding — is also a danger often unknown to homeowners.

5. Smoking

Among the most common causes of house fires is the consequence of negligent smoking habits. People sometimes fall asleep while smoking. In doing so, they can set their bed, chair or couch on fire, which can easily result in a fatality. Another avoidable hazard is discarding still-hot ashes into a trash can where they can ignite.