Halloween is filled with spooky fun, but it also presents lurking fire hazards that can quickly turn the festive holiday into a truly scary one. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), between 2020 and 2024, an estimated annual average of 835 home structure fires began with decorations yearround, resulting in three deaths, 29 injuries, and $18 million in direct property damage. Nearly half (47 percent) of these fires occurred because the decorations were too close to a heat source; approximately one-third (33 percent) started with candles.
With these and associated risks in mind, NFPA encourages the public to take simple precautions that can help ensure a fire-safe holiday for people of all ages.
“From decorating with jack-o-lanterns to costume parties and trick-or-treating, Halloween includes a host of celebrations and activities that introduce the risk of fire,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “Fortunately, the vast majority of these risks can be prevented with a little added awareness and caution.”
