News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Second graders from Hinks Elementary School and Alpena City Manager Rachel Smolinski listen to Alpena Fire Captain Andy Marceau next to the Christmas tree at Alpena City Hall on Monday. Marceau explained the best way to prevent fires in their homes during the holiday season.

ALPENA — More people lose their homes due to fire during the holiday season than at any other time of the year.

Whether the fire is caused by a cooking mishap, faulty decoration, or a portable heater or fireplace, there are things people can do to protect themselves and their property during Christmastime.

Alpena Fire Captain Andy Marceau said the holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy, but too often, disaster strikes people when they fall victim to a fire.

“There is definitely an elevated threat of fire during Christmas,” Marceau said. “When you start adding heating, putting up lights, and cooking, it increases the risk. People need to take extra caution to avoid a fire starting.”

Marceau said unsupervised or faulty Christmas decorations can start a fire, which can quickly become out of control. He said candles, malfunctioning strings of lights, and cooking mishaps are often the cause of fires.

He said real candles should be placed in an area where kids and pets can’t reach them and where there is nothing combustible near them. As an alternative to real candles, Marceau said today’s technology offers LED candles that can mimic the resemblance of a real flame and are much safer.

Closely inspecting Christmas lights for damage or shorts in the wiring can help prevent someone from having their holidays spoiled by a fire, Marceau added.

People who purchase Christmas lights, or intend to use lights they have accumulated over the years should make sure they are UL-listed. UL, or Underwriter’s Laboratory, is an independent product certification organization, which creates standards and tests for electrical and other products.

Products deemed safe by UL will have a tag or sticker to make them easily known to consumers.

Another threat of fire comes from real Christmas trees that become overly dried and susceptible to easy combustion. Marceau said if a dry tree catches fire, the flames will spread quickly and can cause great damage.

“Make sure you water them daily and don’t leave the light on the tree, or any other lights, on overnight when you go to bed,” he said.

No matter how many precautions are taken and how careful people are, there is no way to totally eliminate the threat of a fire happening. Marceau said if a fire starts, it is best to take immediate action to limit the damage and to make sure nobody is injured from it. He said the best thing to do is get out of the building and call 911.

“Make sure you have several ways to get out, leave, and close the door behind you,” he said. “Never go back in the building, for anything. Let the fire department do the search and rescue for loved ones and pets.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.