Prairie State Wire

Springfield, Ill—The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is emphasizing fire safety as a crucial component for a safe holiday season. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), over one-third of home decoration fires are ignited by candles, and more than two out of every five such fires occur because decorations are placed too close to heat sources. NFPA data shows that U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 853 home structure fires annually that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees. Between 2018 and 2022, there was an average of 155 home fires each year initiated by Christmas trees.

Candle-related fires peak in December, followed closely by January. More than half of December's home decoration fires start with candles, with Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and New Year's Eve being the top three days for these incidents. Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera stated: "Decorations create a festive environment in homes during the holiday season, but these decorations can increase the risk of an accidental fire if proper steps and precautions are not followed."

The OSFM is conducting its annual Keep the Wreath Red Campaign at 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 nine lives lost due to fire-related incidents during this period in Illinois.

Originating in Naperville in 1954, the Keep the Wreath Red campaign highlights holiday fire safety by replacing red bulbs with white ones when a fire-related death occurs within the state. The white lights symbolize individuals who have lost their lives.

To promote safety during holiday decorating, several tips are advised: ensure decorations are flame retardant or resistant; keep lit candles at least 12 inches away from flammable items; ensure children and pets stay clear of lit candles; extinguish all candles before sleeping or leaving home; verify light strands' ratings for indoor or outdoor use; replace any worn or broken cords on light strands; turn off all decorative lights before bed or leaving home; check water levels daily for real Christmas trees to prevent drying out near heat sources.

In preparation for holiday meals following Thanksgiving's busy cooking day, it's important to clean ovens thoroughly to prevent grease fires. Thanksgiving is noted as having the highest number of home cooking fires annually, with Christmas and Christmas Eve also showing high numbers.