City of Las Vegas, NV

12/23/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/23/2025 10:17

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Reminds Residents of Holiday Safety

David Riggleman | Director of Communications | 702.229.2207

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Jordan Moore | 702.409.8699 | [email protected]

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Reminds Residents of Holiday Safety

The Christmas Holiday is a Leading day for Home Fires

Winter holidays bring families and friends together, but they also increase the risk of fire. Following these simple tips will help ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2020 and 2024, US fire departments responded to an average of 143 home fires per year that started with Christmas trees. These fires were responsible for an estimated seven civilian deaths, 13 civilian injuries and $15 million in property damage during that time period.

Residents are encouraged to follow these guidelines to stay safe:

  • Select holiday decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
  • Keep lit candles away from decorations and other flammable materials at all times.
  • Ensure children and pets are kept away from lit candles.
  • The leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking. - Remain in the kitchen when frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave, even briefly, turn off the stove.
  • Encourage all family members to adopt the phrase: 'If I leave, I turn it off.' Repeating this aloud helps reinforce safe habits.
  • Establish a child-free zone by keeping children at least three feet from the stove and other hot surfaces to prevent burns.
Christmas Tree Safety Guidelines:
  • Nearly half of home Christmas tree fires result from electrical issues. Replace any light strings with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for connecting light strands.
  • Ensure the tree does not block any exits.
  • Water the tree twice a day every day. Never let it run dry. (It works well to water the tree before going to bed, and again just before leaving for work.)
  • Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
  • Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
  • Test the tree's freshness daily by gently pulling on a branch with a closed hand. If excessive needles fall off, the tree is a hazard and should be removed.
  • After the holidays, promptly remove the tree once it is dry. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should not be left in the home, garage, or placed outside against the house.
  • If a tree should catch fire, leave the building immediately. It can consume an entire room in less than one minute.
Editor's Note: B-roll video is available HERE. The Spanish video is available HERE. Please courtesy the city of Las Vegas.

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Las Vegas City Council

Mayor Shelley Berkley | Mayor Pro Tem Brian Knudsen

Olivia Diaz | Francis Allen-Palenske | Nancy E. Brune | Shondra Summers-Armstrong | Kara Kelley

City Manager Mike Janssen

City of Las Vegas, NV published this content on December 23, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 23, 2025 at 16:17 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]