Not smoking in the home prevents fires, protects health

October is Fire Prevention Month. This is a good time to check your fire extinguishers and smoke detectors, and to make sure your family has a plan for leaving your home in case of a fire.

Another way to stay safe year-round is to eliminate smoking from your home. Not only will this help prevent accidental fire, it also will protect your family members, visitors, and pets from secondhand smoke.

Montana statistics from the National Fire Incident Reporting System show cigarettes contributed to at least 38 residential fires in 2020, resulting in at least two deaths and $1.3 million in property lo...