Home Divisions Media Center Contact DPS Translate State Fire Marshal A Division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety SFM Home AboutFire CodeServices Training ReportingFire Departments Prevent Fires & Fire Deaths Response TeamsContact Course Registration Document Library Firefighter Recruitment Fire Death Information Fire in Minnesota Reports Fire Reporting Prevent Fires and Fire Deaths Service Planning Grant Program State Response Teams Subscribe to Email Updates Expand All | Collapse All WHAT'S NEW? Make the holidays delicious … and safe There’s nothing like gathering with friends and family over a delicious holiday meal, warm and cozy in your home, festive candles ablaze. But it just so happens that cooking, heating and open flames – those staples of holiday atmosphere – are also the three leading causes of house fires in Minnesota. In fact, the time from Thanksgiving to New Year’s is often the busiest time for fires; last year, 13 people died in fires in November, December and January alone. Fortunately, holiday fires are preventable. Check out these holiday fire safety tips in this blog. Tips for staying warm and safe this winter There's no getting around it: Winter weather is inevitable, and you've had the heat on for a couple of weeks. Staying warm is good, whether it's from a furnace, fire in the fireplace, or space heater. But the very things that keep us cozy in the cold can endanger our lives. When the temperature drops, the number of fires typically spikes. Fortunately, like most fires, wintertime fires are mostly preventable if you just take a few precautions on the front end. The latest DPS blog will tell you how to stay safe while you're keeping warm. Is there a 'silent killer' in your home? Could your stove, furnace or fireplace be putting you at risk? It could be if it’s producing dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide incidents are more common during the winter months because people may use unsafe heat sources or don't follow fire safety rules. Make sure your CO alarms are working properly and test them once a month. Clear snow build-up from dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace vents. And never use grills inside. Important information for fire chiefs These information sheets provide important information for new and experienced fire chiefs alike. Contact your fire service specialist with questions. SFMD at a glance: Learn more about what the State Fire Marshal Division has to offer Minnesota fire departments. State Emergency Response Teams: The Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division manages the State Emergency Response Teams. These teams support and work with the local incident commanders. There is no charge to local jurisdictions for these services. Top OSHA violations for fire departments: Read about the most commonly cited OSHA violations. More in-depth information is in this information sheet. Class B firefighting foam: What fire chiefs and fire departments need to know about the use of Class B firefighting foam. Important dates: Print out this information sheet with important dates for fire departments. Youth fire intervention and fire prevention education: SFMD specialists are here to help. Staging Manager Program: The SFMD Staging Manager Program helps meet the needs of local fire departments during large-scale incidents. FEATURED VIDEO Video Description: Most smoking-related fire deaths happen inside homes where a smoker improperly extinguishes a cigarette. This video explains how tragedy strikes. ABOUT US Employment Org Chart History Reports Rulemaking MEDIA CENTER News Releases DPS Blog Social Media Media Contacts DPS YouTube RESOURCES Document Search Tips Keyword Search Tips Browser Information User Guide Related Links DATA Request Data Data Practices Crash Facts Fire Statistics Incident Data CONTACT US Contact Forms Complaints Commendations Offices & Locations Employee Directory Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Accessibility | Copyright © 2021 MN DPS An equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.