Fire marshal warns of fire risk posed by holiday decorations

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois State Fire Marshal is warning holiday revelers about the dangers of home fires posed by holiday decorations.

Fire Marshal Matt Perez said statistics from the National Fire Protection Association indicate that two out of every five home-decoration fires occur because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.

More than one-third of home fires are started by candles. Perez said residents should be sure to extinguish all candles before leaving home or retiring for the night.

Perez offered tips for fire safety, including ensuring that decorations are flame retardant, keeping lit candles 12 inches away from anything flammable, and replacing light strands that are worn out.

Perez will again host the “Keep the Wreath Red” campaign from the state agency’s offices in Springfield and Chicago. From Dec. 1 to Jan. 2, that effort which began in 1954 in Naperville will raise fire safety awareness during the holidays.

Last year, holiday time fires killed 15 people in Illinois.

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Holiday decorating fire-safety tips: https://bit.ly/3qwIi8X