Winter is the deadliest season for home fires, with Christmas Day and Christmas Eve seeing the second- and third-highest number of cooking fires in a year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Home fires have already claimed the lives of nearly 2,000 Americans in 2025.

Many of those deaths occurred in states that also have a high rate of uninsured homes. 

“FEMA data shows that home fires peak December through February,” said Julia Taliesin, a data journalist with Insurify and author of the insurance comparison site’s report on states with the most uninsured homes. “Comparing federal data on home fires with Census Bureau data on housing shows multiple states have a concerning level of uninsured houses and higher home fire risks.”

One in seven American homes has no insurance coverage, according to the Insurify analysis of American Community Survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau. And some states with high numbers of uninsured homes also have high numbers of home fires and fatalities.

“To lose a loved one in a home fire is unimaginable,” Taliesin said. “But to also lose property without the possibility of insurance repayment would be financially and emotionally devastating.”

States with high fire deaths and high uninsured rates

A comparison of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) data on 2025 home fires with Insurify’s analysis of uninsured homes data highlights 10 states with the greatest risks of fire fatalities and uninsured property losses.

Texas tops the list, with an uninsured homes rate of 17.7% and 105 fatalities so far in 2025. A high number of mortgage-free houses (44.5%) could contribute to the Lone Star State’s high rate of uninsured homes.

Heating is the top known cause of home fires in Texas.

In Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi, fire risks and uninsured property risks are both high. In many states with high rates of uninsured property, insurance costs and lower median household incomes are factors.

For example, Louisiana and Florida have the most expensive home insurance costs in the country, according to Insurify data. Louisiana homeowners spend 8% of their income on home insurance, according to Insurify’s report. Floridians spend the same percentage of their income to insure their homes. The state also has the highest average home insurance costs in the country, Insurify’s data shows.

Fire risks flare beginning with the holiday season

FEMA data indicates 36% of annual fire deaths occur in the winter (December–February), when more Americans rely on heating sources. Heating equipment, electrical hazards, and closed-up homes contribute to winter fire fatalities.

While many of 2025’s fatalities are still under investigation, smoking, heating, cooking, and electrical malfunctions stand out among those with a determined cause. In the top uninsured states, heating, in particular, emerges as a leading identified cause of home fires.

Homeowners in lower-income states may be at significant fire risk, especially if they rely on space heaters for warmth during the winter. Affordability can also affect how well-maintained a home’s heating system is.

What’s next? Reducing winter fire and financial risks

Homeowners can take some steps to reduce their risk of home fires this winter.

• When using a portable electric space heater, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for where to place the heater. Keep heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can catch fire. Place heaters on solid, flat surfaces, and never use extension cords with electric heaters.

• Never use an oven to heat your home.

• Make sure your home has smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and that all are in working order.

• Never leave something cooking unattended on top of the stove, and keep burnable items away from the stove.

• Keep a pan lid or cookie sheet nearby in case a pan catches fire. You can use the lid or sheet to smother the flames.

• Keep a working, regularly inspected fire extinguisher in your kitchen.

• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove to reduce the risk of bumps and spills.

Homeowners with uninsured properties also have options to financially protect their homes.

“Even a basic policy can make the difference between a manageable setback and a major financial hardship,” Mallory Mooney, director of sales and service at Insurify, said. “The key is finding the right balance between protection and affordability.”

Mooney recommends comparison shopping for home insurance regularly to find the best combination of cost and coverage. Ask for discounts, and check how different deductible amounts can affect a policy’s cost. Avoid add-ons or riders for additional coverages you may not need.