RI State Fire Marshal on fire safety over the holidays

With Christmas less than one week away, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is reminding people about important information and providing qtips about Christmas tree fire safety.

“Real Christmas trees, especially dry trees, pose a substantial fire risk this time of year,” said Rhode Island State Fire Marshal Tim McLaughlin. “Practicing smart fire safety during the holidays is an important responsibility that will keep our homes and loved ones safe.”

Important Christmas tree safety tips & facts:

• Make sure trees are fresh and green and needles don’t fall off when touched
• Make sure trees are at least 3 feet from heat sources, such as fireplaces, radiators, heat vents, lights, and candles

– DID YOU KNOW? A heat source too close to the tree causes more than one in five Christmas tree fires*.

• Make sure trees don’t block exits
• Make sure trees are kept well-watered daily
• Make sure you use lights for indoor or indoor/outdoor use only on Christmas trees

– DID YOU KNOW? Almost one third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems*.

• Don’t use lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulbs
• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving the house or going to bed

Be sure to remove Christmas trees from homes after Christmas, or when the tree is dry. Dried out trees are a fire safety hazard and should not be left inside the home, garage, or outside against the house. Check with your city or town about Christmas tree recycling programs.

The staff at the Office of the State Fire Marshal wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

*Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is responsible for conducting fire investigations of all fires in Rhode Island where arson is suspected, the fire is undetermined by the fire department, and/or an injury or death has occurred. The Office is active in the area of fire prevention, designing programs in fire education that are geared towards citizens of all ages. The Office is also responsible for building permits and inspections of new and remodeled structures relating to fire safety and law compliance. The State Fire Academy provides education and training to citizens, firefighters, and investigators in various disciplines.