Festive gatherings with loved ones and friends are a hallmark of the holiday season, but research worth remembering reveals all that cheer can come with serious risks depending on where Americans celebrate. Vermont, despite its picturesque winter landscapes, ranks as the most dangerous state to spend Christmas, according to data compiled by healthcare staffing platform Nursa.

The study scored 45 states on a 10-point danger scale by analyzing fatal injuries, alcohol-related incidents, car accidents, arrests, emergency-related Google searches, house fires, and snow probability. Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and South Carolina were excluded due to incomplete data availability. Vermont earned an 8.55 out of 10 danger score, just over three points higher than the safest state, Mississippi, which scored just 5.44.

Emergency room visits spike by up to 20 percent during the holiday season compared to average days, straining healthcare systems already managing typical winter health crises. The data shows distinct geographical patterns in Christmas-related dangers, with northern states generally facing higher risk scores than their southern counterparts.

What Makes Vermont the Most Dangerous Christmas State

Vermont’s top ranking comes from multiple risk factors working together. State fire departments reported 25 structure fires on Christmas Day 2024, and the state records 72.4 accidental fatal injuries per 100,000 people annually. A near-certain 98.6 percent chance of snow on Christmas Day makes travel treacherous and puts residents at risk for cold-weather injuries.

Residents consume 3.06 gallons of alcohol per person annually, and 19.6 percent drink excessively. However, fatal car accidents actually decreased by 5.2 percent in December 2023 compared to other months, with only one fatal crash reported on Christmas Day itself.

Wisconsin claims second place with an 8.45 danger score. The state recorded 16 structure fires on Christmas Day 2024 and logs 71.5 accidental fatal injuries per 100,000 residents. December 2024 saw 9,900 Google searches for “food poisoning symptoms” and 880 searches for “Heimlich maneuver” in Wisconsin alone. Police made 14,289 arrests throughout December, ranking it 13th highest for Christmas crime.

Oregon ranks third with an 8.29 danger score, despite producing more Christmas trees than any other state. Five people died in car accidents on Christmas Day 2023, and 16 structure fires occurred on Christmas Day 2024. December sees an 11 percent increase in fatal car accidents compared to other months. Colorado lands in fourth place with an 8.08 score, driven partly by the third-highest per capita December Google searches for emergency terms. North Dakota rounds out the top five with an 8.01 score.

Mississippi Ranks as Safest State For Christmas 2025

Mississippi takes the safest spot for Christmas celebrations with its 5.44 danger score. The state reports the third-lowest excessive drinking rate at 13.3 percent and the third-fewest driving fatalities involving alcohol at 23.3 percent. A mere 0.2 percent chance of snow on Christmas Day eliminates most weather-related accidents. No fatal car accidents occurred on Christmas Day 2023, and December fatal crashes decreased by 14.4 percent compared to other months.

Utah follows as the second-safest state with a 5.56 score. Residents consume just 1.35 gallons of alcohol per person annually, the lowest in the nation. December fatal accidents dropped 20.1 percent compared to other months.

Texas ranks third-safest at 5.90, with 11 fatal Christmas Day crashes in 2023 but only a 0.3 percent chance of snow. Virginia scores 5.93, reporting just two fatal Christmas Day accidents. Maryland and Georgia tie for fifth-safest at 5.97 each.

Alcohol Consumption and Fire Risks Across States

New Hampshire residents consume more alcohol than any other state at 4.67 gallons per person annually, though the state didn’t crack the top 10 most dangerous list. Montana experiences the steepest increase in fatal car accidents during December, jumping 25 percent compared to other months.

California recorded 87 structure fires on Christmas Day 2024, the highest in the nation, followed by North Dakota with 64 and Maine with 63. North Dakota reports an alcohol-involved driving fatality rate of 46.7 percent, among the highest rates in the nation, followed by Montana at 46.3 percent, while Utah reports one of the lowest at 19.7 percent.

December 2024 Google search data reveals patterns in holiday health emergencies across states. Searches for “food poisoning symptoms” reached highest per capita levels in Vermont, Wisconsin, and Colorado. Searches for “Heimlich maneuver” were most frequent in Texas (5,400 searches), New York (4,400), and California (4,400).

Snow Risk Elevates Danger in Many States

Snow probability contributes to danger scores, with Vermont’s near-certain white Christmas contrasting sharply with Florida’s 0 percent chance and Mississippi’s 0.2 percent probability. States with high snow probability, including Montana at 44.1 percent, Wisconsin at 37.9 percent, and Colorado at 30.7 percent, often rank higher in danger, though other factors like alcohol consumption and injury rates also play significant roles.

Minnesota recorded zero fatal accidents on Christmas Day 2023 despite having a 68.1 percent chance of snow. Several other states, including Maryland, West Virginia, Missouri, Maine, Mississippi, and Rhode Island, also reported no Christmas Day fatalities.

California logged 52,395 total December arrests, the highest raw number in the nation, followed by Texas with 45,114. However, California’s large population means a lower per capita impact. Florida recorded 19,695 December arrests and nine Christmas Day fatal accidents, giving it a 6.39 danger score in the middle tier.

This article originally appeared on StudyFinds.org.