Careless Smoking: A Tragedy Waiting to Happen

Smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires each year in Minnesota.

That’s why the State Fire Marshal Division is working hard to raise awareness about the dangers of careless smoking.

We know smoking is a hard habit to break, but we’re asking those who do smoke to do so outside and properly extinguish their cigarettes in a sturdy container filled with sand or water. We’re reminding them to have working smoke alarms in their homes​. We’re showing them how careless smoking is a tragedy waiting to happen.

This video featuring footage from a live burn this fall shows how quickly and easily a smoking-related fire can start, spread and turn deadly. If you smoke, please watch it. If you don’t smoke, please share it with a friend or loved one who does.

Nobody wants to lose someone in a fire. Reminding those you love the dangers of careless smoking could help save lives.

Honor the Dead by Planning Ahead

Most of us would probably like to simply forget 2020 ever existed. The temptation is to wipe the slate clean and move on. But if we do that, we risk not learning. And if we forget the nearly 400 people who died on Minnesota roads in 2020, we dishonor their memories. Instead, we remember each one of them, and keep talking about how and why they died so that we can prevent more tragedies. Preliminary reports show there were 398 traffic deaths on Minnesota roads in 2020, compared with 364 in 2019.

This blog will show you how to plan ahead to help keep Minnesota roads safer in 2021.

​​DPS Limits Some Services in Response to COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) has adjusted or limited some services. For the latest service updates, visit our DPS Response to COVID-19 page.

DPS is continuing to operate with many staff members working remotely to ensure social distancing.

Thank you for your patience as we all work together to get through this situation.