NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- December is the deadliest month for fatal fires in Tennessee, at least partly because of holiday carelessness, authorities say.
Of the 155 people killed by fires in Tennessee last year, 21 or 14 percent died in December.
Winter is generally a bad time for residential fires because of the greater use of space heaters and fireplaces. But authorities say holiday candles, dried out Christmas trees, extension cords and the like also add to the danger.
The state fire marshal's office says 104 people died in fires in Tennessee in 2002, and 122 fire deaths were recorded in 2001.
Decorative candles should not be left unattended, firefighters say, and Christmas trees should be kept fresh.
The fire marshal's office suggests trimming an inch or two off the trunks of Christmas trees and making sure they are standing in water. Tree lights should not be left on when no one is around.
Other advice for the holiday season includes keeping combustible materials at least three feet from space heaters and checking smoke detectors often to make sure they are working.
``The winter months are the prime season for fatal fires in Tennessee, and the tragedy is that most of these deaths are preventable,'' state Fire Marshal Paula Flowers said in a holiday warning.
Across Tennessee, 45 percent of the people who died in fires last year were 60 or older, with almost 20 percent 80 or older. Of the children killed in fires, 9 percent were nine or younger.
Following December, the most dangerous months for fatal fires are January and February.
While no one was seriously hurt, one of the first spectacular fires of this holiday season occurred Sunday in Dickson.
As town residents gathered for their annual Christmas parade, a fire broke out heavily damaging two nearby buildings and leaving several others with smoke and water damage.
Some of the first firefighters on the scene simply pulled their trucks from the parade and headed to the fire.
``It's unbelievable,'' said witness Jamie Adair. ``You come out for a Christmas parade to have a good time, and part of the town is gone.''
