As the holidays approach and the weather gets colder here are some tips from the National Fire Protection Association and your Croton Falls firefighters.

Holiday Decorations
- U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 770 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees, in 2014-2018. These fires caused an annual average of two civilian fire deaths, 30 civilian fire injuries and $11 million in direct property damage.
- Eight percent of decoration fires were intentional.
- The decoration was too close to a heat source such as a candle or equipment in more than two of every five (44%) fires.
- Twenty-two percent of the decoration fires started in the kitchen. Sixteen percent started in the living room, family room or den. From January to November, one-quarter (24%) of home decoration fires started in the kitchen 14% in the living room and 4% in the dining room. - In December, 23% of home decoration fires started in the living room, 12% in the kitchen, and 11% in the dining room.
One-fifth (21%) of the home decoration fires occurred in December.

Candles
- On average, 21 home candle fires were reported each day between 2014-2018.
- Three of every five (60%) candle fires started when something that could burn, such as furniture, mattresses or bedding, curtains, or decorations, was too close to the candle.
- Candle fires peak in December. January ranked second. From January through November, 4% of home candle fires started with decorations. This jumped to 12% in December.
- Christmas is the peak day for candle fires with almost three times the daily average.

We wish you a happy, healthy and safe holiday season.