Director of Commerce Donna Owens and State Fire Marshal James McNamee are urging Ohio families to pay particular attention to fire safety this holiday season. “Ohioans must recognize the additional risks of fire during the holiday season and take the necessary steps to reduce these risks. This is the best way all of us can have a safe and enjoyable holiday season,” Director Owens said.

During the 1997 holiday season (November 22, 1997 to January 2, 1998), more than 2000 residential fires occurred in Ohio. Without paying increased attention to fire safety issues, a comparable number of Ohio families may have their holidays ruined by fire.

According to State Fire Marshal James McNamee, three factors pose an increased fire threat during the holiday season: unattended children, decorative lighting and live Christmas trees.

“Fires caused by children increase during the holidays often with fatal consequences,” Marshal McNamee said. “Parents who would not normally leave their children alone may be tempted to do so during the holidays to take care of last-minute details.”

Children need to be closely supervised during the holiday season. Older children need to be warned to stay away from matches, candles and decorative lighting. In particular, younger children should be supervised at all times in rooms where candles are in use.

When purchasing or using decorative lighting, Marshal MacNamee suggests the following fire safety tips.

• Purchase decorative lights that bear the label of a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

• Use the lights according to the manufacturer's instructions.

• Do not connect too many light sets together. The manufacturer’s instructions will indicate how many sets can be safely connected. This will prevent overheating.

• Install light sets outside the home only if they are specifically labeled for outside use.

• Use the correct wattage replacement bulbs specified in the manufacturer’s instructions. Replacing several lower wattage bulbs with higher wattage bulbs can cause overheating.

• Replace light sets and extension cords which are worn or cracked.

• Use as few extension cords as possible. Do not run them under rugs or over sharp objects where damage may go unnoticed or where a door may close on them.

• Decorative candles or menorahs should be secured so that they cannot be tipped over. They should be kept away from material such as draperies which may easily ignite. Candles should be extinguished before leaving the house or going to bed.

Live Christmas trees should be as fresh as possible when brought into the home. Prior to putting up the tree, make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk to allow for better water absorption. The tree should then be placed in a sturdy stand.

To keep the tree from drying out, place it away from heat sources and water it daily. Be sure the tree does not block the normal exit ways. “The longer the tree is kept inside the more dangerous it becomes,” Marshal McNamee said. “Remove the tree from the home as soon after Christmas as possible. Most fires involving Christmas trees occur near or after New Year’s Day.”

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The Division of State Fire Marshal is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The Fire Marshal’s Office trains firefighters, enforces the Ohio Fire Code, investigates the cause and origins of fires and explosions, provides fire prevention programs, and performs other services.