With the Holidays here, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs is urging listeners to be aware of the increased risk of home fires.
Unattended candles, space heaters, damaged lights, and dry Christmas trees are common hazards.
Officials with the State Fire Marshal’s officed say following some basic fire safety tips will help keep friends and family safe this holiday season.
A dry Christmas tree is extremely flammable and can turn deadly within seconds.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, candle-related fires peak during the holidays, particularly on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, often due to unattended flames.
Fire safety tips include:
– Checking Christmas tree water levels daily.
– Keeping candles away from flammable materials.
-Checking lights for worn cords and discarding damaged lights.
It’s a good idea to unplug your lights when leaving home.
When it comes to space heaters, keep a three-foot clearance around them and never leave a space heater on while sleeping.
Also: Never plug a space heater into an extension cord or surge protector, which is unable to handle the load, and is likely to overheat, causing a fire.
Every home should have properly installed smoke detectors on every floor to give residents the best chance of surviving a house fire.
According to Michigan Fire Marshal Tom Hughes, Nearly 100 people have died in house fires in Michigan so far in 2025. There were no working smoke detectors in the majority of the homes where those fatal fires occurred.
