The holiday season is typically regarded as extending from late November to early January. Using three years of data, the yearly estimated fire loss for December 24, 25 and 26 is estimated at over $80 million. Each year, these losses result from an estimated 12,000 fires that required a fire department response. These fires cause an annual national average of approximately 250 injuries and 40 fatalities.
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Holiday fires, including those occurring in the days preceding and following Christmas, are typically more severe than fires during the rest of the year (see tabulation).
Similar to other holidays, including Thanksgiving, there is a somewhat higher incidence of cooking fires on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This is not surprising given the importance of holiday meals to families throughout the nation.
The incidence of fires caused by open flame also increases on Christmas Day-7 percent for all of 1998, but 15 percent on Christmas. Open flame fires include those from matches, lighters, and candles.
The most common form of heat of ignition for Christmas fires is that of gas-fueled equipment, including pilot lights and gas fireplaces. Also, Christmas experiences a higher than average incidence of fires caused by candles.
Fires caused by children playing with fire decrease on Christmas Day (see chart). Children playing fires peak in the days just prior to Christmas and sharply de-crease on Christmas Day and December 26. In the greater context of this time of year, these trends are not necessarily surprising. Perhaps most importantly, parents are home with their children and, while busy with holiday preparations, may not be able to supervise children as closely as is necessary. Seeking to emulate the behaviors of their parents, children might attempt to light holiday candles or other decorations. In addition, children are likely to be searching for hidden gifts throughout the home and in their search are probably encountering dangerous items such as lighters and matches. Naturally curious, children play with these items, with sometimes tragic results. Beginning on Christmas Eve, children become more occupied with the celebration and are perhaps less likely to set fires. This trend continues through New Year's Day, about the time their interest in new toys and other gifts wanes.
The incidence of arson fires diminishes on Christmas Day and in the days before, but arson in-creases after Christmas and peaks on New Year's Day.
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