|
Stay Merry and Safe: Fire Safety
Comes First This Holiday Season
[December 11, 2025]
Springfield, Ill - As holiday
celebrations get underway, the OSFM, Camp I Am Me by the Illinois
Fire Safety Alliance, Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory
Board and the Springfield Fire Department urge residents to keep
fire safety at the top of their holiday checklist. According to the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) more than one-third of
home decoration fires are started by candles. More than two of every
five home decoration fires occur due to decorations being placed too
close to a heat source. The NFPA also reports U.S. fire departments
responded to an estimated average of 832 home structure fires per
year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees. Between
2019-2023, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 145 home
fires that started with Christmas trees per year. Electrical
distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two in
five homes. As Christmas trees dry out, they become more and more
flammable. Thirty-six percent of Christmas tree fires were
Candle fires peak in December followed closely by January. More than
half of home decoration fires in December are started by candles.
The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Day, New
Year’s Day, and New Year’s Eve. Before you head to bed or out for
the evening, extinguish all lit candles.
“Decking the halls for the holiday
season brings a special sense of warmth and joy to the home, but it
can also increase the risk of accidental fires,” said Illinois State
Fire Marshal Michele Pankow. “It’s important that folks follow
manufacturers’ instructions when hanging lights, avoid overloading
outlets, and ensure decorations are kept away from heating sources.
Additionally, decorations should never be placed in doorways or
block escape routes in case of a fire. I hope everyone has a safe
and happy holiday season.”
“During the holiday season, Christmas trees and candles bring joy
and warmth to our homes, but they can also pose serious fire risks
if not handled carefully,” said Springfield Fire Department
Assistant Chief Julie Plunk. “Make sure your tree is fresh and
well-watered, keep it away from heat sources, and never leave
candles unattended. By choosing battery-powered candles instead of
real flames this will reduce the risk of fire. By taking these
simple precautions, families can enjoy a festive and safe holiday
season.”
“The holidays should bring warmth and light, not tragedy. Every
year, we meet survivors whose lives are forever changed by
preventable fires caused by dry trees, faulty holiday lights, or
unattended candles,” said Executive Director of Camp I Am Me by
Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Philip Zaleski. “At Camp I Am Me, we
know that recovery from a burn injury is a long and difficult
journey. By taking just a few extra minutes to check your
decorations, water your tree, and practice fire safety, you can
ensure that your family’s holiday memories are filled with joy, not
heartbreak.”
"Home fire sprinklers are one of the most effective tools for
protecting families and homes,” said Northern Illinois Fire
Sprinkler Advisory Board Executive Director Erik Hoffer. “They can
dramatically reduce the spread of fire, giving residents more time
to safely evacuate and minimizing property damage. This holiday
season, as we decorate and celebrate, installing sprinklers is a
proactive step every homeowner can take to keep their loved ones
safe."
[to top of second column] |
The OSFM will once
again be hosting the Keep the Wreath Red Campaign at our offices
in Springfield and Chicago, along with at the Quinn Fire Academy
in Chicago. This campaign raises awareness about the importance
of fire safety during the holiday season (December 1st through
January 2nd). Unfortunately, last year 12 lives were lost in
fire related incidents during the holiday season in Illinois.
Keep the Wreath Red campaign began in 1954 in Naperville to
raise awareness about holiday fire safety. White light bulbs
will replace the red bulbs when a fire related death is reported
in the state.
These white lights are not just bulbs; they represent a person!
This could be your mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, uncle,
friend, or neighbor. The goal of the campaign each year is to
raise awareness and help prevent fire deaths from occurring.
Here are some tips to keep in mind to stay fire safe when
decking the halls this holiday season.
• Be careful with holiday decorations. Make sure decorations are
either flame retardant or flame resistant.
• Keep lit candles at least 12 inches away from decorations or
anything that can catch fire.
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
• Extinguish all lit candles before going to bed or leaving the
house.
• Check to make sure your lights are rated for indoor or outdoor
use or both.
• Replace any light strands that have worn or broken cords. Make
sure to read the recommendation for number of light strings you
can string together.
• Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home
or going to bed.
• If you have a real Christmas tree,
make sure to check water levels daily! It is not unusual for a tree
to drink two gallons of water the first day it is in the stand.
• Keep real Christmas trees away from a heat source. It can dry out
the tree quickly.
After a busy cooking day on Thanksgiving, before firing the oven
back up preparing the next holiday meal, make sure to clean it! In
case of an oven fire, turn off the oven and keep the door closed
until it is cool. Clean cook tops as left-over grease can catch
fire. Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, but
Christmas and Christmas Eve follow closely behind.
|
