Dazzle or disaster, fire precautions make the difference

ST. PAUL — According to the United States Fire Administration, holiday fires take the lives of more than 400 people each year, injure four times that many and cause close to $100 million in property damage.

State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl says that tragedy can be avoided with common sense and a few purposeful precautions. He urges every Minnesotan to consider the following list of tips and reduce the chances of a fire caused by holiday decorations.

Natural Christmas tree: A live tree requires special safety measures. Needles should be green and soft when you select your tree, and the trunk should be sticky. If you bounce the tree on the ground and many needles fall off, it was probably cut too long ago to be safe. Don’t place your tree near a heater or a heat vent; it will dry out and become a fire hazard. Don’t allow smoking near the tree, and keep the tree stand full of water at all times. Take the tree down after two weeks.

Holiday lights: Inspect your lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in insulation and cracked sockets. Never link more than three light strands, and check the wires periodically — they should never be warm to the touch. Turn the lights off when you leave the house.

Holiday decorations: All of your decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant; check the labels. Place them away from heat sources, including lamps. Never burn wrapping paper in a fireplace; it can result in a large fire with dangerous sparks and embers. Make sure your artificial tree is flame-retardant.

Candles: Place candles on stable, nonflammable surfaces where they cannot be accidentally knocked down or come in contact with clothing or paper. Never leave the house without extinguishing candles. Consider using flameless LED candles if you intend to burn them for hours.