Mercury Insurance Offers Steps to Protect Your Home Against Holiday Lights & Fire Hazards

Rhea-AI Summary

Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) on Dec 22, 2025 released holiday safety guidance to help homeowners reduce decoration-related fire risks. The company cites National Fire Protection Association figures noting about 160 Christmas-tree fires and nearly 900 decoration-related home fires annually in the U.S.

Recommended steps include testing smoke and CO alarms, avoiding dry trees near heat sources, checking for damaged bulbs and frayed wires, using timers or unplugging lights, avoiding outlet overloads, using surge‑protected power strips, and safe ladder practices when decorating at height.

Key Figures

Christmas tree fires 160 home fires per year NFPA estimate for U.S. fires due to Christmas trees

Decoration-caused fires 900 home fires per year NFPA estimate for fires caused by holiday decorations

Market Reality Check

$90.52 Last Close

Volume Volume 582,894 is elevated vs 20-day average of 215,557 (relative volume 2.7) ahead of this non-financial safety update. high

Technical Shares at $93.62 are trading above the 200-day MA of $71.27 and sit close to the $95 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

MCY’s pre-news gain of 0.54% came alongside smaller positive moves in peers like SIGI (0.44%), WTM (0.19%), HGTY (0.77%) and KMPR (1.12%), while LMND declined 0.61%, pointing to stock-specific rather than broad sector momentum.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 18	Product expansion	Positive	-0.5%	Expanded personal umbrella insurance product launched in Virginia, ninth state rollout.
Dec 16	Consumer safety tips	Positive	-0.4%	Guidance on avoiding holiday gift theft and reviewing auto and property coverage.
Dec 10	Coverage education	Positive	+0.4%	Myth-busting release clarifying homeowners insurance coverage and exclusions.
Dec 04	Policy review push	Positive	-0.4%	Annual insurance checkup reminder focusing on limits, deductibles and exclusions.
Nov 25	Winter prep guidance	Positive	+0.1%	Advice for homeowners to prepare for winter and prevent costly water damage.

Pattern Detected

Recent educational/consumer-focused releases have often seen modest, mixed price reactions, with slightly more instances of small pullbacks than advances following similar news.

Recent Company History

This announcement continues a series of consumer education and risk-prevention messages from Mercury Insurance. Since Nov 25, 2025, the company has highlighted winter weather preparation, annual coverage checkups, homeowners insurance misconceptions, and holiday theft and liability risks. These communications emphasize policy awareness, adequate limits, and safety practices. Price reactions over these five prior news items have been small and mixed, suggesting that similar guidance-oriented updates have not acted as major trading catalysts by themselves.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement emphasizes holiday fire prevention and homeowner safety, citing NFPA data on 160 Christmas tree fires and nearly 900 decoration-related fires annually. It extends Mercury’s recent pattern of consumer education around coverage and risk management. Investors may contextualize this alongside Q3 2025 net income of $280.4 million and diluted EPS of $5.06, while monitoring future filings or product updates for more direct financial implications.

Key Terms

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulatory

"According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments respond"

A nonprofit organization that writes widely used safety codes and standards for fire prevention, electrical systems and building life safety; think of it as a rulebook authorship group that many builders, manufacturers and insurers follow to reduce fire risk. Investors care because adherence affects construction and equipment costs, insurance rates, legal liability and market demand for compliant products, so changes to these standards can impact company expenses and revenues.

carbon monoxide detectors medical

"Check all smoke alarm & carbon monoxide detectors: Test batteries and ensure"

A carbon monoxide detector is a safety device that senses the presence of the invisible, odorless gas carbon monoxide and alerts people before concentrations reach dangerous levels. For investors, these devices matter because they reduce health and liability risks, affect building code compliance and insurance costs, and can influence property value and operating expenses—like a smoke alarm for a silent, colorless hazard that helps protect assets and people.

surge protector technical

"For added protection, use a power strip with a surge protector."

A surge protector is a device or built‑in circuit that shields electrical equipment from sudden spikes in voltage, acting like a shock absorber for power lines by diverting or damping excess electricity. For investors, it matters because effective surge protection helps prevent costly equipment damage, unexpected downtime, replacement expenses and liability risks—factors that can affect a company’s operating costs, reliability and long‑term asset value.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Preventing Holiday Home Fires Starts with Simple Safety Checks

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Holiday decorations bring warmth, color and celebration into the home — but behind the glow of lights and decorated trees are safety risks many homeowners don't think about until it's too late. To help homeowners celebrate safely, Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is sharing a list of practical tips to reduce common decorating risks during the holiday season.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments respond to an estimated 160 home fires each year specifically due to Christmas trees. Most of these fires are caused by electrical problems or a heat source being too close. In addition, nearly 900 home fires are caused by holiday decorations each year.

"Taking a few important precautions throughout the holiday season will greatly lower your decoration-related fire risks," said Bonnie Lee, VP of Homeowners Claims for Mercury Insurance. "Ensure that your tree does not get too dry if it's live, and avoid placing any tree too close to your fireplace or heater. Furthermore, checking for damaged cords, using the right equipment and unplugging décor when you're not home are simple steps that can prevent a disaster."

The following are some additional tips from Mercury pertaining to interior and fire safety:

• Check all smoke alarm & carbon monoxide detectors: Test batteries and ensure these systems are in working order ahead of the holiday season.
• Exercise candle safety: Keep candles away from trees, wrapping paper and flammable items. For a safer décor option, use LED candles.
• Unplug electronics or use timers: Unplug small appliances and holiday lights before going to bed or going on a trip to prevent surges or fires. If possible, use automatic timers to turn off holiday lighting while you sleep or are away, reducing fire risk without sacrificing décor.
• Secure Decorations: Avoid overloading outlets and ensure lights are positioned away from greenery. Lights that droop onto heaters, lamps or high-heat bulbs can easily spark a fire. For added protection, use a power strip with a surge protector.
• Check for damaged bulbs or frayed wires: Check for cracked or broken bulbs and frayed wires before plugging in holiday lights, as damaged strands can increase the risk of electrical shorts or fire.
• Examine extension cords before using: Cheap or aging cords can overheat or crack, especially under heavy holiday use.
• Decorate at height safely: If you are decorating ceilings or high landings, use a sturdy ladder on a flat surface and avoid overreaching when hanging lights or decorations to reduce the risk of falls.
• Tend to your live tree: Keep live Christmas trees well-watered and away from heat sources. Dry needles ignite quickly and are a leading factor in holiday tree fires.

About Mercury Insurance

Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier predominantly offering personal auto, homeowners, renters and commercial insurance through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury writes other lines of insurance in various states, including commercial, business owners and business auto, landlord, home- sharing, ride-hailing and mechanical protection insurance. 

Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through more than 4,200 employees and a network of more than 6,340 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an "A" rating from A.M. Best, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and Insure.com.

Interested media can follow Mercury and receive notifications about new press releases at the new Mercury Insurance Newsroom at https://newsroom.mercuryinsurance.com/, follow the company on Instagram or Facebook or email us at Newsroom@MercuryInsurance.com. 

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SOURCE Mercury Insurance

FAQ

What holiday fire risks did Mercury Insurance (MCY) highlight on Dec 22, 2025?

Mercury highlighted electrical problems and heat sources near trees as leading causes and cited about 160 Christmas-tree fires and 900 decoration fires annually.

What smoke alarm and carbon monoxide checks does Mercury recommend for homeowners (MCY)?

Test batteries and ensure both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order before holiday decorating.

How should homeowners reduce electrical fire risk from holiday lights according to Mercury (MCY)?

Check for damaged bulbs and frayed wires, avoid overloading outlets, use surge‑protected power strips, and consider timers or unplugging lights when away.

What guidance did Mercury (MCY) give for live Christmas tree safety on Dec 22, 2025?

Keep live trees well‑watered, place them away from fireplaces, heaters and heat sources, and remove them when needles become dry.

Does Mercury (MCY) recommend using candles in holiday décor?

Mercury advises keeping candles away from trees and flammable items and suggests LED candles as a safer alternative.

What ladder and fall‑safety tips did Mercury (MCY) include for decorating at height?

Use a sturdy ladder on a flat surface, avoid overreaching, and have a helper steady the ladder while hanging lights or decorations.