Festive Fire Safety: the Chemical Risks Behind Christmas Lights, Candles, and Batteries

04/12/2025

As Christmas approaches and households come alive with festive decorations and new electronic gifts, the risk of fire and chemical hazards increases. From overheating lights to dangerous lithium-ion batteries, the season brings hidden hazards that can derail a celebration in seconds. With a bit of awareness, you can help protect your home and everyone in it this holiday season.

With a bit of awareness, you can help protect your home and everyone in it this holiday season.

Flickering Flames: the Hidden Risks of Christmas Lights and Candles

Decorative lights and candles set a warm, festive mood, but they’re also among the most common sources of holiday house fires. Fire services across Australia report that many incidents in December stem from overloaded power boards, damaged electrical cords, and unattended candles.

Safe Use of Christmas Lights

To reduce risk when installing lights:

  • Use only products with a certified Australian safety mark.
  • Avoid double adaptors and do not overload power boards.
  • Check all lights, plugs, and cords for damage before use.
  • Keep lights away from curtains, wrapping paper, decorations, and other flammable materials.
  • Unplug lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Christmas lights can heat up during extended use. When combined with dry decorations—or a drying Christmas tree—the risk of ignition increases, especially in hot Australian summers.

Candle Safety During the Festive Season

Candles require similar care:

  • Never leave burning candles unattended.
  • Keep them away from flammable objects, including Christmas trees, paper decorations, and curtains.
  • Extinguish them before leaving the room or going to sleep.
  • Ensure enough distance between candles and electrical lighting to prevent heat transfer.

For households with real or artificial Christmas trees, additional caution is essential. Dry branches can ignite rapidly, and both tree types can become fire hazards when placed near sources of heat or open flame.

Finally, ensure smoke alarms are installed, working, and tested regularly—this remains the most effective early-warning system in the event of a fire.

Batteries, Gadgets, and Growing Fire Hazards

Lithium-ion powered gifts are more popular than ever: e-scooters, phones, power tools, and countless children’s toys. However, fire services have reported a sharp rise in house fires linked to these batteries. In Western Australia, they are now considered the fastest-growing home fire risk.

Lithium-ion batteries can overheat, ignite, or explode when damaged, improperly charged, or exposed to heat. They also release toxic gases when burning, making these fires especially dangerous and difficult to extinguish.

Safe Charging and Storage Practices

To minimise risk:

  • Use only original or approved chargers and cords. Mixing chargers or using substandard components is a common cause of failure.
  • Charge only on hard, non-combustible surfaces, not on beds, sofas or carpets, especially important if charging overnight or while you sleep.
  • Never leave batteries charging unattended, and unplug devices promptly once fully charged.
  • Store batteries and battery-powered devices in cool, dry areas, away from heat sources or flammable materials. Avoid storing them near exits or escape routes.
  • Watch for early warning signs: swelling, heat, leaking, or damage. If a battery fuelled device exhibits any of those, stop using or charging it immediately.
  • Dispose of used or damaged lithium-ion batteries properly, via designated drop-off or recycling services and never in regular rubbish bins.

Following these steps ensures safer use of gadgets and reduces the likelihood of overheating or battery failure.

A Safer, Happier Festive Season with Simple Precautions

The only thing lighting up your home this Christmas should be festive cheer, not preventable fires. By using lights and candles responsibly, handling lithium-ion batteries with care, and staying alert to potential chemical risks, you can significantly reduce fire danger in your home.

Remember to:

  • Inspect lights, cords, and plugs.
  • Choose certified lighting products and avoid overloading outlets.
  • Keep candles away from decorations and never leave them unattended.
  • Use and charge lithium-ion batteries safely.
  • Ensure smoke or heat alarms are present, functional, and tested.

With a little preparation and awareness, you can enjoy a bright, safe, and peaceful Christmas season.

How Chemwatch Can Help?

If you’d like to find out more about the chemicals mentioned in this article, Chemwatch is here to help. As global experts in chemicals management with some of the largest SDS and regulatory databases in the world, we can assist you in meeting your safety obligations and bridging your knowledge gap. Contact Us today!

Sources

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