VIDEO: The State Fire Marshal and other organizations are urging people to keep fire safety as a top priority during the holidays and demonstrated why they should on Wednesday. In Springfield, Fire Marshal Michele Pankow, Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Executive Director Philip Zaleski and others hosted an event that highlighted possible fire hazards during the holiday season. They set up a typical living room with a Christmas tree and other decorations in it, which was then set on fire.
Decoration fires are a high risk this time of year, due to many people having candles as part of their seasonal decorating. Officials said more than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles, often left burning while unattended.
Home candle fires peak in December, and the top days are Christmas Eve, New Yearโs Day and New Yearโs Eve. More than two of every five home decoration fires occur due to decorations being placed too close to a heat source, officials added.
