Don’t forget to turn off the lights, blow out the candles and check your smoke detector.

A recent study by the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents says winter is the deadliest season when it comes to fires.

“Fire prevention should be practiced every day of the year, but the winter months increase the chances for a house fire,” said Gary Mitchell, spokesman for the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents. “Any time there’s a drop in temperature there comes an increased need to heat homes. Open fires, portable heaters and overcrowded outlets are a big reason why there are so many house fires in the winter.

“During the holiday season the number of fatal fires increases considerably.”

Of the 240 people who died in house fires last year in Michigan, more than half were killed between December and March. The study showed 70 percent of fatal fires occurred in homes with no working smoke detector.

“People don’t want to hear this, but Christmas trees are fire hazards,” Mitchell said.

The report suggests first and foremost selecting a fresh Christmas tree and watering it often. Keeping trees away from direct sources of heat, replacing worn out or loose tree lights and never using candles to decorate trees also significantly reduces the risk of a house fire.

The agency also warns to dispose of the tree as soon as it begins dropping excessive needles, because dry trees are the most flammable.

“Conditions like these which aren’t met are often conducive to house fires,” Mitchell said.

The study reports more than half of all house fires take place between midnight and 4 a.m. and that children are least likely to escape a fire at night.

“Fires often start when people go away from home or go to bed at night before turning off their Christmas lights or blowing out candles,” he said. “I can’t state strongly enough the need for a working smoke detector.”

Brian Gaukel, fire investigator for the Lansing Fire Department, said a working smoke detector can make all the difference in the world, which is why they are available at the station free of cost.

“We’re doing everything we can to educate the public about the dangers of house fires,” Gaukel said. “There’s no reason why anyone should be without a properly operating smoke detector.

“If you don’t have one come on down to the station and we’ll give one to you.”

East Lansing Fire Marshall Bob Pratt said the department also offers free smoke detectors to those who can’t afford them.

“The most common thing we find is that people have a smoke detector but it isn’t working for one reason or another,” he said. “It is very important to check smoke detectors every month.

“A working smoke detector doubles the chances of surviving a residential fire.”