Advent, Advent a little light is burning - at the end of the year, candlelight, Advent wreath and Christmas tree are simply part of the festive mood for many. However, these pose an increased fire hazard in many buildings. There are about 50 % more fires at Christmas time compared to spring and autumn. In 2019, 29,000 fires were registered with a damage of more than € 32 million.¹
Burning Advent wreaths and Christmas trees are often the cause of house and flat fires throughout Germany in winter. The reasons for this are manifold. For example, no candle holders or flammable candle holders as well as candles that have been burnt too far or at an angle lead to fires. At the same time, there is a risk from candles that are placed too close to flammable objects, e.g. fir branches, curtains or other decorations, and burning candles without supervision. In addition, there are Christmas trees that burst into flames due to careless handling, e.g. tipping over a tree.
There are a few rules to follow to ensure that a little light does not turn into a fire!
Smoke alarms save lives
Smoke alarms are lifesavers at any time of year. In the event of a fire, they warn of highly dangerous smoke gases and are mandatory in private residential buildings in all federal states.
It is generally advisable to use battery-operated candles instead of real candles. Only fairy lights with recognised test marks, e.g. GS mark or TÜV seal, should be used.
When using real candles, care should be taken not to position them near flammable objects. Always keep a sufficient distance from fir branches or other flammable decorations such as Christmas tree decorations. For Advent wreaths and Christmas trees, stable and non-flammable candle holders are recommended. Self-extinguishing candles are also advisable, as they ensure greater safety by extinguishing the flame early. Candles should always be lit from back to front and from top to bottom.
Particularly important: Never leave burning candles unattended and do not let them burn too far. Always have a fire extinguisher or at least a bucket of water to hand. Foam extinguishers and water extinguishers are suitable for indoors.
More safety for your home:
- Have your fire extinguishers serviced by experts at regular intervals (at least every 2 years).
- Check at regular intervals - regardless of the time of year - whether your smoke alarms are working in every room.
Following the Advent and Christmas season, the turn of the year leads to a high volume of fire brigade operations. Here, too, everyone can prevent personal injury and property damage by taking preventive measures.
Our fire safety tips for New Year's Eve:
We wish you a wonderful Advent season.
Come well and safely into the new year.
¹Gesamtverbandes der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) (2019): Besonders viele Brandschäden in der Weihnachtszeit, URL: https://www.gdv.de/de/themen/news/besonders-viele-brandschaeden-in-der-weihnachtszeit-52940