WARREN – As winter grips the country and the holidays fill homes with colorful lights, candles and holiday decorations, firefighters are urging residents to prioritize safety to prevent devastating fires and accidents.
“Winter poses unique risks for fire protection” Warren Fire Chief Ken Nussle said. “The combination of increased heating, cooking and decorative lighting makes this a critical time to take precautions.”
Nussle said there are simple buts “decisive” Be careful not to leave candles or fireplaces unattended and ensure space heaters are at least six feet away from flammable items. He strongly advised against using propane or kerosene heaters indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Space heaters should not be used as a primary heat source and it is important to turn them off before leaving the room or going to bed.” he said.
Decorations, especially Christmas trees, pose additional risks. Nussle said residents with live trees should water them daily and remove them shortly after Christmas to prevent them from drying out. He also warned against burning trees in fire pits, a practice that has led to dangerous incidents in the past.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal echoed those concerns. More than 200 fires were reported in Ohio on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day last year, according to the department. Nationwide, holiday decorations cause an average of 835 house fires per year, resulting in dozens of injuries and millions of dollars in damage.
To keep your home festive and safe, experts offer the following advice:
• Inspect lights and decorations and discard any string lights with frayed wires or cracks and make sure all decorations are labeled fire resistant.
• Turn off the lights at night. Additionally, do not leave lights or other electrical decorations on when you are not at home.
• Maintain safe distances. Keep trees and decorations at least three feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces, space heaters and radiators.
• Opt for LED lights as they use less electricity and produce less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs, reducing the risk of fire.
Nussle also said families should prepare for emergencies by ensuring exits are clear of decorations and setting up a meeting point outside the home in the event of an evacuation.
The Christmas period also sees a rise in kitchen fires, with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day among the days with the highest frequency of cooking-related incidents.
“Never leave cooking food unattended.” Nussle said. “It only takes a moment for a fire to break out and the consequences can be catastrophic.”
He recommended keeping flammable items like paper towels and napkins away from stovetops and using timers to prevent food from being forgotten on the stove.
Both Nussle and the fire department also emphasized the importance of functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
“Test alarms monthly, and if your smoke detectors use batteries, replace them when you change the clock.” said Nussle. “These devices save lives by giving you valuable time to escape in the event of a fire.”