The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office says fire deaths in the state are up 36 percent, compared to the same time last year. Preliminary figures indicate that 30 have died, compared to 22 in 2016. According to the SFM, careless smoking is historically the leading cause of fire deaths in the state. “Each and every fire death is disturbing to us because most fire deaths are preventable. We don’t want anyone to suffer the loss of a loved one in a fire,” said Minnesota State Fire Marshal Bruce West to The Northland Fire Wire. “We need the public’s help to keep the number of fire deaths from climbing. People can keep themselves and their families safe by putting safety first and following a few simple tips.”
Some of these steps include:
Do not smoke while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or while on oxygen.
Dispose of cigarettes in a sturdy container filled with sand or water.
Don’t leave candles unattended. Better yet-use flameless candles.
Stay in the kitchen and keep an eye on what you’re cooking.
Smoke alarms save lives-but only when they work. Test your alarms monthly and change the batteries twice a year.