Prairie State Wire

The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) in Springfield, Illinois, is emphasizing fire safety during the holiday season. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), over one-third of home decoration fires are caused by candles, and more than two out of five occur because decorations are placed too close to heat sources. The NFPA reports that U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 790 home structure fires annually due to decorations, excluding Christmas trees, between 2017 and 2021.

Christmas tree-related fires account for an average of 150 incidents per year. Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in over two out of five Christmas tree fires, with nearly one in five started by lamps or bulbs. About two out of every five such fires began in living rooms.

Candle-related fires peak in December and January, with more than half occurring during December due to candles. The most common days for these incidents are Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and New Year's Eve. "Decorating for the holiday season is an exciting time, but you need to keep fire safety in mind when you deck the halls," stated Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera.

Rivera advised following manufacturer recommendations regarding light strings and suggested using battery-powered candles or ensuring all candles are extinguished before leaving a room or going to bed. He noted that adhering to these tips could help prevent accidental fires during the festive period.

The OSFM will continue its Keep the Wreath Red Campaign at various locations including their offices in Springfield and Chicago, as well as at the Quinn Fire Academy in Chicago and the Illinois Fire Service Institute in Champaign. This campaign aims to raise awareness about fire safety from December 1st through January 2nd. Last year saw seven fatalities related to holiday-season fires in Illinois.

The Keep the Wreath Red campaign began in Naperville in 1954 with a focus on preventing holiday fire deaths. White light bulbs replace red ones on wreaths when a fire-related death occurs, symbolizing lost lives.

To maintain safety while decorating this season, several tips were shared: ensure decorations are flame retardant or resistant; keep lit candles at least 12 inches away from flammable items; extinguish all candles before sleeping or leaving home; check lights' suitability for indoor/outdoor use; replace worn cords; turn off lights before leaving home; monitor water levels for real Christmas trees daily; keep trees away from heat sources.

Additionally, after Thanksgiving cooking activities, it is recommended to clean ovens thoroughly before further use during holidays like Christmas and Christmas Eve—days known for increased cooking fire risks.

For those hosting gatherings during this period, it is important to inform guests about household fire escape plans including exit locations and designated meeting spots outside.