December and early January are peak season for holiday-related home fires. Dried Christmas trees, overloaded light strings, and unattended candles can turn a quiet night into a 911 call in seconds. National fire data show that U.S. fire departments respond to an average of about 143 home fires per year that start with Christmas trees—and more than one-third happen in January, after the tree has dried out.
Add in decorating mishaps—roughly 14,900 decorating injuries were treated in ERs during the most recent holiday season, with about 160 injuries per day—and it’s clear this time of year carries unique risks.
Why these fires and injuries happen
Live trees dry out fast (especially near heat vents and fireplaces), extension cords get daisy-chained, and older light strings have damaged insulation. Candles placed near curtains or decorations can ignite soft goods within minutes, and celebrations mean people step away from open flames or energized décor longer than they realize. NFPA notes that while tree fires are relatively infrequent, they’re unusually severe because a dry tree can burn intensely in moments.
Who may be liable under Georgia law
Responsibility depends on where and how the incident happened:
- Homeowners/hosts and property managers when unsafe conditions (dried trees, missing/failed smoke alarms, overloaded outlets, poor egress lighting) contribute to injury.
- Landlords/HOAs for hazards in common areas (non-working exterior lights, blocked exits) or for failing to address known dangers.
- Manufacturers/sellers if defective lights, extension cords, trees, or candle products malfunction (product liability).
- Event venues/caterers for unsafe setup or supervision during holiday parties. Multiple parties can share fault; identifying everyone early can expand available insurance.
What to do right away after a tree or candle fire (health first, proof second)
- Get medical care now. Burns and smoke inhalation injuries can worsen quickly—tell clinicians exactly what happened.
- Preserve the scene. Photograph the tree, stand, light strings, power strips, candle holders, and the room layout (curtains, furniture distance).
- Save all components. Bag the lights, cords, plug adapters, blown fuses, and candle remnants. Don’t throw anything away.
- Note alarms and sprinklers. Photograph smoke/CO alarms and whether they sounded; keep batteries and devices for testing.
- Identify witnesses and video. Get names/numbers, request preservation of any doorbell or interior footage, and obtain the fire report number.
- Limit statements to insurers until you’ve spoken with counsel; stick to facts.
- Follow all treatment plans and keep receipts and a simple recovery log (symptoms, missed work).
Insurance paths that may help right now
- Homeowners/renters liability coverage at the property where you were injured may pay for medical bills, wage loss, scarring treatment, and pain and suffering when negligence contributed.
- Medical payments (MedPay) on some homeowners policies can help with early care regardless of fault.
- Product manufacturer/seller coverage may apply if a light set, cord, or candle product was defective.
- Your health insurance keeps treatment moving while liability is sorted.
Common injuries and losses we document
Thermal burns to hands/face, graft-level injuries, smoke inhalation and respiratory issues, eye injuries, lacerations from broken glass, and falls during evacuation. Claims can include ER and follow-up care, surgery and rehab, future medical needs, lost wages or reduced earning capacity, scarring/disfigurement, pain and suffering, and damaged personal items (glasses, phones, laptops).
Mistakes that quietly reduce case value
Tossing the light strings or candle remnants, washing smoke-soot from clothing before photographing it, gaps in medical care, giving a recorded statement too early, and posting dramatic videos on social media (insurers use them out of context).
Safety notes for the rest of the season (which also protect claims)
- Water live trees daily and remove them promptly after the holiday; NFPA emphasizes risk rises in January as trees dry out.
- Inspect lights for cracked sockets, frayed wires, or loose connections; replace damaged sets. Plug into GFCI-protected outlets and avoid daisy-chaining power strips.
- Place candles at least three feet from anything that can burn; never leave them unattended; consider flameless alternatives.
- Mind ladders when decorating—CPSC tracks ~160 decorating injuries per day, nearly half from falls.
How Gunn Law Group builds holiday-fire cases
We move fast to preserve the physical evidence (lights, cords, candle products, alarms), secure fire and 911 reports, and obtain video before it’s overwritten. We identify every responsible party—owner, manager, HOA, manufacturer/seller—and every applicable policy so one minimal limit doesn’t cap your recovery. Then we coordinate with burn specialists to document scarring and future care and negotiate from evidence, not guesses.
If a Christmas tree or candle fire turned your holidays upside down, don’t take a quick offer that ignores long-term costs. Need a home run? Call the Big Gunn at 888-BIG-GUNN or visit thegunnlawgroup.com for a free case review with an Atlanta injury team that knows how to win seasonal premises and product claims.
