Debrecen4U
November 27, 2025
Firefighters advise these steps to keep the Advent wreath safe
The Advent season begins on Sunday, and the first candle on the Advent wreath will be lit. At this time, the fire departments of disaster management are alerted to 33 percent more house fires than usual. On an average day, 18 homes catch fire, and during Advent this number increases, with one house catching fire every hour.
Last December, 770 fires broke out in residential buildings, in which 71 people were injured and 8 people lost their lives. 124 homes became uninhabitable due to the fire, and 356 people had to temporarily move out of these houses.
Fires can be prevented if we keep a few safety rules in mind when decorating our homes and preparing for the holidays.
An average of 50-70 house fires per year are linked to Advent wreaths. Most of these fires cause damage to a small area, but this is enough to cause soot to build up on the walls to the point where the entire room needs to be repainted. Whether you buy a ready-made Advent wreath or make your own, there should be a candle holder under the candles, a small metal base that prevents the flame from spreading to the wreath. Place the wreath where there are no flammable materials nearby. The best solution is to place the wreath itself on a fireproof dish. Do not leave a burning candle unattended.
More and more places are putting up Christmas trees in late November or early December. The pine trees are cut down in mid-November, so they dry out quickly in a heated building.
A dried-out fir tree burns so well that if it catches fire at just one point, the entire tree will burn in a few seconds, and the fire will spread to the surroundings. You can delay the drying of the fir tree by storing it in a bucket of water after purchase, but there are also fir bases that can be filled with water, so the tree dries out more slowly.
Whether the Advent wreath is bought ready‑made or prepared at home, candle spikes and small metal holders should be placed under the candles so that the flame is prevented from spreading to the wreath. The wreath should be placed where no flammable materials are nearby. The best solution is if the wreath itself is set on a fireproof tray. Burning candles should not be left unattended.
In more and more places, Christmas trees are being put up in late November and early December. The pine trees cut down in mid-November dry out quickly in a heated building.
Dried pine burns so well that if it catches fire at just one point, the entire tree will burn within a few seconds, and the fire will spread to the surroundings. The drying of the pine can be delayed by storing it in a bucket of water after purchase, and water‑fillable stands are also available, so the tree dries more slowly.
Whether a real or artificial Christmas tree is chosen, it should be placed at least one and a half meters away from heating devices or sources of heat. Candles or sparklers should not be used for decoration. Since traditional bulbs can become hot, LED light strings should be used instead, and the cord should be unplugged from the socket at night.
Poor‑quality or faulty light strings bought at markets or underpasses should not be used. Both indoor and outdoor versions of light strings exist; indoors either may be used, but outdoors only outdoor types should be applied.
When old light strings are used, they should be checked for damage. If the wire is broken, or the extension cord is deformed or melted, they should not be used, as it is only a matter of time before a fire is caused. Battery‑operated light strings operate at lower voltage, but if damaged, they can also cause fire. If the wire of a light string is longer than needed, the entire length must be laid out. If it is placed under voltage while coiled, it becomes overheated and eventually ignites. The wires of light strings should not be placed under table or chair legs, and objects should not be put on them, because the wires may break and become a fire hazard.
Sparklers burn at temperatures between 1000 and 1600 degrees Celsius, and hot sparks can be scattered far, igniting their surroundings. Sparklers should not be placed on the Christmas tree.
Only light one sparkler at a time. It is safest to do this outdoors. A burnt but still hot sparkler should not be thrown straight into the trash; first, put it in a glass of water.
One of the best tools for prevention is a smoke detector. A smoke detector beeps loudly when a fire starts, giving time to put out the flames or escape and call the fire department. Buy a smoke detector for your elderly loved ones who live alone for Christmas. It should be mounted on the ceiling in the middle of the room.
If a fire does break out at home, the most important thing is to escape from the building and help others get out. Notify the fire department. The sooner they learn about the fire, the faster they can intervene and save more valuables. If a powder fire extinguisher (which can be purchased for a few thousand forints) is kept at home, it can be safely used even in the case of electrical fires. For households, the best choice is considered to be a six‑kilogram ABC powder fire extinguisher. If children or elderly people live in the property, a lighter two‑kilogram ABC powder fire extinguisher is also recommended.
Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit: Pixabay
