Holiday Fire Safety Tips

City of Gadsden Fire Department Chief Carroll is taking time to talk about the Alabama Fire Chiefs Association "Turn Your Attention to Fire Prevention" statewide campaign to reduce the fire fatality rate in Alabama. Carrol says that with the arrival of the holiday season, Alabamians need to continue to take personal responsibility when it comes to protecting themselves and their family from fire.Carrol says Alabama’s fires and fire fatalities are consistent with national trends:

Older adults are the age group most likely to die in a home fire, Half of home fire deaths occur between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m, and Most home fire deaths are in homes with no working smoke alarm.

Carrol shared a few Holiday Fire Safety Tips that he wants the community to remember. He says Use care when decorating your home this holiday season. Nearly half of holiday decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a　heat source

Also, Give space heaters space – Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.

He says remember to Smoke outside – Ask smokers to smoke outside. Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers. And, Keep matches and lighters out of reach. Keep matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock.