State Fire Marshal urges Ohioans to decorate safely for holidays

Many of us will be decorating our homes for the holidays, and State Fire Marshal Larry Flowers wants to offer Ohioans some tips that can help keep families throughout the state safe during this time of the year.

“Used properly, these can be important family traditions. Make sure the decorations you put up in your home are fire safe and properly hooked up,” says State Fire Marshal Larry Flowers. “While Christmas tree fires are not common, when they occur, they often become deadly.”

Marshal Flowers and the U.S. Fire Administration offer the following tips:

• Purchase lights that bear the label of a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and use the lights according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Outdoor lights are specifically labeled for outdoor use. Outdoor lights should be fastened securely and placed on a ground fault interrupter circuit.
• Do not connect too many light sets together and never use extension cords that are worn or cracked. Do not run them under rugs or over sharp objects.
• Turn off lights when you go to bed or leave the house.
• Live Christmas trees should be as fresh as possible. Make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk, and place the tree in a sturdy stand; water it daily. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly.
• One in five holiday fires occur because a heat source is too close to the tree.  Locate the tree as far away from heat sources as possible. Never place lighted candles on or near the tree, or where the tree may fall if knocked over by a pet or child.
• Do not block your primary or alternative escape routes with a tree, decorations or presents.

Remember:  Ohioans are encouraged to have a working smoke alarm installed on every level of the home and in each bedroom or sleeping area. Also, practice your escape plans twice a year. Each member of the household should know two ways out of your home. Make sure guests are aware of the escape plan and the location of any fire extinguishers in case there is an emergency.