The Springfield Fire Department says five of the seven fire fatalities in 2020 were caused by careless smoking.

Smoking-related fires were the leading cause of residential fires during the year. The fire department says it has responded to three fires started by careless smoking in 2021.

The Fire Department recommends the following safety tips:

• Never leave lit cigarettes or charging electronic cigarettes unattended.
• Use deep sturdy ashtrays with a stable base, such as a table, that are difficult to tip over.
• Do not discard cigarettes in potted plants, landscaping, dried grass, leaves, or other things that can easily ignite.
• Never smoke in bed or while drowsy.
• Smoke outside. Most fire fatalities result from fires that are starting in living rooms, family rooms, or bedrooms.
• Never smoke or allow anyone to smoke where medical oxygen is used. Medical oxygen cause materials to ignite more easily and make fires burn at a faster and hotter rate.
• Do not smoke around flammable liquids such as gasoline, or oil-soaked rags.
• Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches, and other smoking materials out of the reach of children.
• Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away,