October 23, 2024 Press Release from the National Fire Protection Association: As Halloween creeps closer, fire safety hazards lurk among many of the holiday’s festivities and celebrations. According to the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), between 2018 and 2022, an annual average of 835 home structure fires began with decorations, resulting in three deaths, 30 injuries, and $14 million in direct property damage. Nearly half (47 percent) of these fires occurred because the decorations were too close to a heat source; approximately one-third (32 percent) started with candles. With these and associated safety risks in mind, NFPA is encouraging everyone to take simple precautions that can help ensure a fire-safe holiday.