Don’t let an accident ruin your Christmas.

State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer reminds residents to be careful this holiday season. Specifically, he reminds us of these statistics:

∫ More than a third of home decoration fires are started by candles.

∫ 42 percent of decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.

∫ One of every three home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.

∫ A heat source too close to the tree causes roughly one in every four fires.

∫ Nearly 50 percent of all space heater fires involve electric space heaters.

With those thoughts in mind, he suggested residents:

∫ Choose a fresh tree and water it daily.

∫ Place the tree away from any exit and at least three feet from any heat source (fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights).

∫ Never use lit candles to decorate a tree.

∫ Use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory for indoor or outdoor use appropriately.

∫ Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturers’ instructions for the maximum number of light strands to connect.

∫ Don’t overload electrical outlets or electrical outlet strips.

∫ Always turn off tree lights and extinguish candles when going to bed or leaving your home.

This Christmas, let’s all be safe, rather than sorry.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)