The holidays should smell like turkey, cookies, and pine—not smoke and burnt cabinets.
But every year, fire departments and the American Red Cross see a
spike in home fires during November and December, especially from cooking, space heaters, candles, and decorations. The Red Cross responds to thousands of home fires annually and warns that home fires are the most common disaster they handle.
Here in Arizona,
KJZZ recently highlighted that
space heaters, candles, and loose clothing while cooking are some of the biggest holiday fire hazards, based on guidance from the American Red Cross.
As a restoration general contractor serving the Greater Phoenix area,
RCS Builders gets called after the fire trucks leave—when families are standing in a smoky kitchen or a soggy living room wondering, “What now?” Our hope is that you’ll never need us for a holiday fire. This guide focuses on
simple, real-world steps you can take to prevent one.
Why Holiday Fires Are So Common
The holidays are basically the perfect storm for fire risk:
- More
cooking (and more distractions)
- Extra
heat sources (space heaters, fireplaces, ovens working overtime)
- More
open flames and electronics (candles, lights, decorations)
- People staying up late, multitasking, and sometimes getting a little too relaxed
The American Red Cross notes that home fires increase during the holidays and that small mistakes can have big consequences, especially when more people are in the home.
The good news: most of these fires are
highly preventable with small changes.
1. Holiday Cooking Safety: The #1 Cause of Home Fires
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S., and the risk climbs sharply around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The Red Cross and local fire officials emphasize a few simple rules:
Stay in the kitchen when you’re cooking
- If you’re frying, grilling, broiling, or sautéing,
do not leave the stove.
- If you need to walk away, turn the burner off—even “just a minute” can turn into 10 with a knock at the door or a phone call.
Avoid loose clothing while cooking
- Loose sleeves, robes, and long, flowy shirts can brush a burner and ignite quickly.
- During big cooking days, choose
short or tight-fitting sleeves and keep long hair tied back.
Keep the area around the stove clear
- Move paper towels, napkins, oven mitts, cardboard boxes, and plastic packaging far from the burners.
- Don’t store items on top of the stove, even if it’s “off most of the time.”
Use timers and check often
- Use your oven timer or phone to remind you about items in the oven.
- If you’re juggling multiple dishes, set
multiple timers so nothing gets forgotten.
If a small grease fire starts
- Don’t use water. Water on a grease fire can cause a flare-up and make it worse.
- Turn off the burner and carefully slide a lid or baking sheet over the pan to smother the flames.
- If it doesn’t go out immediately or you feel unsafe, get everyone out and call 911.
2. Space Heaters: Small Heater, Big Risk
Even in Phoenix, November and December nights can be chilly enough for space heaters—especially in older homes or rooms that don’t heat evenly.
KJZZ and the Red Cross both warn that space heaters are involved in many serious and fatal heating fires.
Follow the “3-foot rule”
- Keep
anything that can burn (bedding, furniture, curtains, pillows, rugs, gift wrap) at least
3 feet away from heaters.
Turn them off when you leave or sleep
- Space heaters should
never run unattended.
- Turn them off before you leave the room or go to bed—even “low” settings can still overheat or ignite nearby items.
Plug heaters directly into the wall
- Avoid extension cords and power strips; they can overheat and are a common source of electrical fires.
Choose safer models
- Modern space heaters with
tip-over switches and
overheat protection add another layer of safety.
- Make sure your heater is in good condition, with no frayed cords or cracks.
3. Candles, Fireplaces, and Holiday Decorations
Candles and décor add all the cozy holiday vibes—but they also introduce open flames and lots of extra “fuel” in your home.
According to the Red Cross and FEMA, holiday decorations and candles are a major cause of home fires in December.
Candle safety
- Keep candles
at least 12 inches to 3 feet away from anything that can burn—curtains, wreaths, greenery, tabletop decorations, and gift wrap.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended. Blow them out before you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Use
sturdy holders on stable surfaces, where kids and pets can’t bump or reach them.
- Consider
flameless LED candles for windowsills, kids’ rooms, or any place you might forget about.
Menorahs, kinaras, and other holiday flames
- Place them on a
nonflammable surface (ceramic, metal, stone), away from curtains and decorations.
- Keep a safe, clear zone around them so nothing can fall onto the flames.
Fireplaces
- Use a
screen in front of your fireplace to catch sparks and embers.
- Keep stockings, garlands, and decorations above or near the hearth far away from the actual flame area.
- Make sure embers are
completely out before you go to bed.
Trees and holiday lights
- Choose flame-resistant or flame-retardant decorations whenever possible.
- Keep real trees
well-watered and at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, space heaters, and vents. Dry trees can ignite very quickly.
- Inspect light strings for frayed wires, cracked sockets, or loose connections and replace damaged sets.
- Don’t overload outlets or daisy-chain too many strings together—follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
4. Red Cross Home Fire Prep: Easy Things to Do This Week
The Red Cross has a full home fire safety guide at
redcross.org/fire. A few of their key recommendations translate perfectly to the holiday season in Phoenix:
Check your smoke alarms
- Install alarms
on every level, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.
- Test them
once a month.
- Replace batteries at least once a year if your alarms aren’t sealed 10-year models.
- Replace alarms that are
over 10 years old.
Make and practice a fire escape plan
- Make sure everyone in the home knows
two ways out of each room.
- Pick a safe meeting spot outside (a tree, mailbox, or neighbor’s driveway).
- Practice your plan—especially if you have kids or guests staying with you.
Keep a safe “heat-free” zone
- The Red Cross recommends keeping anything that can burn at least
three feet away from things that get hot: heaters, fireplaces, ovens, and stovetops.
Use flashlights, not candles, during outages
- In a power outage, rely on flashlights or battery-powered lanterns instead of candles whenever possible.
These small steps take minutes but can save lives.
5. If a Holiday Fire Still Happens: What to Expect After the Flames Are Out
Even a “small” fire—like a pan fire on the stove or a candle that scorches part of a room—can leave a big mess behind:
- Heavy
smoke odors that don’t go away with normal cleaning
- Soot on ceilings, walls, cabinets, and inside HVAC systems
- Water damage from sprinklers or hoses used to put the fire out
This is when many Phoenix and East Valley homeowners call
RCS Builders.
As a
full-service restoration general contractor, we can help with:
- Emergency board-up and securing the property
- Smoke and soot cleanup
- Odor removal and air scrubbing
- Structural drying for water used to fight the fire
- Full reconstruction of damaged areas—drywall, flooring, cabinets, paint, and finish work
- Working with your insurance adjuster on documentation and repair estimates
Learn more about our services on our
Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration page.
We serve homeowners throughout the Greater Phoenix area, including Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Carefree, Paradise Valley, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley and the surrounding West Valley.
6. Bringing It All Together: Enjoy the Holidays, Not a Visit from the Fire Department
This holiday season in Phoenix:
In the kitchen:
- Stay nearby when cooking
- Avoid loose clothing over open flames
- Keep flammables away from the stove
With heat:
- Give space heaters room to breathe
- Turn them off when you leave or sleep
- Plug them directly into the wall
With flames and décor:
- Treat candles with respect—or switch to flameless
- Keep trees and decorations away from heat sources
- Turn off lights before bed
For more detailed fire safety information, you can visit:
And if a fire does happen and you’re left with smoke, soot, or water damage,
RCS Builders is here to help you clean up and rebuild so you can get your home—and your holidays—back on track as quickly and safely as possible.
