December 6, 2005 - The Office of the State Fire Marshal reminds consumers today that while shopping for that perfect gift, do not overlook the gifts that keep on giving throughout the year – home safety devices.

Facts & figures to consider for seasonal safety:

• December, January and February are the deadliest months for fires.
• The top 10 days for home fires in recent years were all between December 24 and January 6.
• Cooking and heating are the leading causes of home fires in the months of December through February.
• Candle fires have nearly tripled in the past decade. Nearly twice as many home candle fires occur in December than any other month, perhaps because of holiday decorations and rituals.

“Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers may not be exciting gifts to give, but they provide a peace of mind,” said Andy Neumann, State Fire Marshal. “So if you are looking for practical holiday presents, consider items that will protect your loved ones from fire this season.”

Here are some suggestions from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

• Smoke alarms – are one of the best fire-safety items for the home. Seventy percent of all home fire fatalities occur in homes where there are no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms for people who are deaf or hard of hearing include strobe lights, high decibels and/or vibration. All smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years.
• Flashlights - prevent fires by using flashlights instead of candles during power outages.
• Sturdy candleholders - help prevent tip-over when candles are lit. Lantern-style candle holders can reduce the likelihood of something coming in contact with a candle flame.
• A secure fireplace screen - keeps embers out of the room.
• Long fireplace matches - prevents burns.

• Gift certificates for clean-up services - to remove fire-prone clutter from basements, attics or yards or from chimneys to prevent creosote build-up that can cause chimney fires.
• A bathrobe with tight-fitting sleeves - that cannot touch stove burners while a person is cooking.
• Down or synthetic comforters, flannel sheets or flannel pajamas - keep a loved one warm, and reduce the need for space heaters, particularly at night. Generally, space heaters (fixed and portable) are involved in two-thirds of home heating fire deaths.
• Large, deep, non-tip ashtrays– help reduce the chance of smoking materials from igniting materials nearby.
• Portable fire extinguishers - with safety tips on how to use them. Make sure the recipient reads and understands the instructions before having to use them.
• Fireproof oven mitts – reduce burns from handling items around the stove or while barbecuing.
• Large house numbers – help fire fighters locate a home quickly during an emergency at night.
• Carbon monoxide detectors - while this item won't help keep loved ones safe from fire, it is something to consider for home safety. Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas formed when fuels-such as natural gas, oil and wood-burn incompletely.
• Stocking stuffers - download loads of fire safety information-including home escape grids-from NFPA's web site, at www.nfpa.org, or for children, try NFPA's www.sparky.org. And do not forget batteries for smoke alarms and flashlights.