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
5 reasons why it burns in the Advent season
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. Learn more.
Tips to avoid fires during the Advent season
It is generally recommended to use battery-operated candles instead of real candles. Only light chains with recognised test marks, e.g. GS mark or TÜV seal, should be used.
When using real candles, make sure 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 useful. At the same time, it is advisable to use self-extinguishing candles, which ensure greater safety by extinguishing the flame at an early stage. Candles should always be lit from back to front and from top to bottom.
Especially 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 ready. Foam extinguishers and water extinguishers are suitable for indoor use.
More safety for your home:
- Have your fire extinguishers serviced by experts at regular intervals (every 2 years at the latest).
- Check at regular intervals - regardless of the season - whether your smoke alarms are working in every room.
Celebrate New Year's Eve safely.
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:
- Stow away flammable materials from the balcony or terrace early to avoid fires caused by stray rockets.
- Close windows and doors on New Year's Eve.
- Follow the instructions on the fireworks for outdoor/indoor use, firing and storage.
- Never shoot fireworks from your hand, but from e.g. pipes or empty bottles in drink crates.
- Never pick up fireworks that have not been fully ignited. Also avoid relighting them.
Share our fire safety tips. Help prevent fires.
We wish you a wonderful Advent season.
Come well and safely into the new year.
Do you have any questions?
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