Colder weather, holiday decorations can often bring fire dangers.

Fire officials say fires in the home are more common this time of year as space heaters, fireplaces and candles get more use in the home.

Bargersville Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Pruitt said smoke alarms save lives.

“Any time it involved a fatal fire 99 percent of the time there was not a working smoke alarm in the home s. So it's serious business.,” Pruitt said. “It’s one of the cheapest investments in our home to protect our family.” 

He said residents should always test their smoke alarms before the threat of home fires increases during the cold weather months.

Pruitt said be especially careful with candles during the holidays, which are the peak time for many fires.  He also advised against going to bed with space heaters left on in the home.

Contact WFYI Morning Edition newscaster and reporter Taylor Bennett at tbennett@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @TaylorB2213.