The chill in the air has people finding ways to warm their homes which can lead to some dangerous situations. As a friendly reminder, the Roosevelt Fire Department wants people to stay aware of fire safety in the winter months. According to FEMA, 890 people die in winter fires that cause over $2 billion in property loss each year. While home fires in the winter account for only 8 percent of the total fires in the United States, 30 percent of all fire deaths are from winter fires. The most common times for winter fires is
5pm to 8pm
. Cooking and having a heat source too close to combustible materials are the top ways to start your home on fire so be aware. Be sure to clear your chimneys and fireplaces before lighting fires indoors. Never leave space heaters or candles burning unattended. Also read the label on the extension cord when using them especially with electric heaters. Finally be careful when dealing with frozen pipes. “This might sound obvious, but don’t use a blow torch on your pipes if they freeze,” Fire Chief Lee Rockwood advises. “It might work to thaw your pipes, but people often don’t notice what it’s doing to the wall behind the pipes. That’s how a lot of fires get started.”
