FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, Dec. 11, 2015

CONTACT: Tony Mangan, Department of Public Safety, 773-6196

Fire Marshal Urges Safety With Christmas Decorations

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Fire Marshal Paul Merriman encourages South Dakotans to enjoy the holiday season, but also to be careful with possible fire risks.

“There are so many special activities going on in homes during the holidays,” says Merriman. “There are more family gatherings, more special meals and more features like Christmas trees, candles and lights. All those are good things, but they also increase the chance of home fires.”

Among the safety tips that Merriman suggests can be used to reduce the risk of other holiday-related home fires include:

If you have a natural tree in your home, check the amount of water in the stand each day. A fresh tree can take in up to a quart of water a day.

• Place the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces and heaters, and don’t place it in an exit path

• Never use candles on or near a tree. Make sure the lights you use are UL listed and not frayed or damaged.

• Don’t use outdoor lights indoors or indoor lights outdoors.

• Don’t overload electrical circuits. Use approved circuit strips and turn off all Christmas lights before leaving the home or retiring for the evening.

• Put lit candles in glass safety globes and keep lit candles away from drafty windows and doorways.

• Avoid the temptation to burn cardboard boxes or holiday wrapping paper in a fireplace. Those materials burn at very high temperatures and not all fireplaces are suited to burn those materials.

 As always, Merriman says home owners should place working smoke alarms on each floor of the home. Two-thirds of the home fire deaths results from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or working smoke alarms.  

 The South Dakota Fire Marshal’s Office is part of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

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