FIRST THINGS FIRST

Keep Fire Safety a Top Priority this Season

The winter months are the peak time for house fires with heating systems called into action. Add in the risks from candles, holiday cooking, lights and live greenery, and there’s even more reason to be vigilant this season. 

With the help of your local fire authority, HOME shares some tips for protecting your house and your loved ones from fire dangers. 

Keep it clear
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), half of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February. 

Candace Brown, Battalion Chief Fire Marshal with the Lynchburg Fire Department (LFD), says that national statistic holds true here, too. One major cause of house fires she sees during this time is carelessness in leaving items too close to heaters or fireplaces. 

“Keeping things that can burn at least 3 feet away from any heat source — fireplaces, woodstoves, radiators or space heaters — and if you can, a 5-foot clearance all the way around, is the rule of thumb,” says Brown, who is in her 17th year with LFD. 

She says more people are using electric space heaters, as they are relatively inexpensive and now come in many different sizes and styles. 

“Unfortunately, in a time with inflation where the costs of heating and cooling have increased, people are using alternative heating sources to decrease their bills. I understand it, but you need to just be sure you’re doing it safely, and not using a heater near anything combustible, like blankets, furniture, papers — anything that could ignite.” 

If you are running multiple space heaters for a big space, she says to plug them into separate outlets. “These devices pull so much amperage, so much energy, so you run the risk of overheating that socket.” For that same reason, she says space heaters should be plugged directly into the wall, not into an extension cord or surge protector, and should be unplugged when not in use. 

Brown says the department also responds to a lot of chimney fires and recommends that fireplaces, chimneys and vents are cleaned and inspected professionally at least once a year. 

Keep it handy
Every house should be equipped with working fire extinguishers and smoke detectors — and people who know how to use and maintain them. 

Brown says most of the traditional, portable fire extinguishers today cover all the general classes of fire (A, B, C, and K). While new products have come to market, including fire blankets, aerosol can fire suppressants, rangehood suppressors (small canisters that are activated automatically when they detect flames erupt on the stove), and compact extinguishers in hand-held tubes (about the size of a road flare), she said the research and data is too early to promote them to homeowners. She refers to the NFPA, which sets standards on consumer products, and advises reading all labels. 

“Just know what you’re buying and follow manufacturer’s instructions. If you have a question, you can reach out to us — we’re happy to walk citizens through their decision making.” 

If you live in a multi-story home, she recommends keeping a fire extinguisher on each level, and place it where it is easily accessible. If you keep it in a closet or under the sink, make sure you don’t have to dig around to find it. One idea is to mount it on the back of a pantry door. 

With fireplaces, whether gas or woodburning, Brown also recommends having a carbon monoxide detector. Again, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height, because some will say they need to be at the level people would be breathing it in or even lower to the ground. 

Other products to consider stocking are fire resistant mats or hearth rugs, now available in a variety of decorative designs, to help catch stray embers or ashes, and escape ladders (especially useful for top-level apartments), available in different lengths at hardware stores or online. 

Smoke alarms are more common in homes, but they’re also often neglected. According to the NFPA, smoke alarms were present in 74 percent of the reported home fires from 2018 to 2022, and nearly three out of five (59 percent) home fire deaths were caused by fires in properties with no smoke alarms (43 percent) or smoke alarms that failed to operate (16 percent). 

Brown and her staff work with the American Red Cross’ Home Fire Campaign and canvass neighborhoods in the spring and the fall, offering to install free smoke alarms or change batteries. LFD also has a year-round program offering case-by-case assistance to residents who call. 

Smoke alarm batteries should be changed twice a year. (To help you remember, do it every time you adjust your clocks for Daylight Saving Time.) Replace detectors every 10 years. Also, test them at least once a month. If you have a hardwired system, make sure you have a battery backup. 

New “smart” detectors can notify you via a phone app in case of emergency and when the battery is low. Smoke alarms should be installed in each bedroom and in the hallways upstairs and downstairs. 

You should also have an escape plan, with at least two exit routes from every room and an agreed-upon meeting place outside. Brown recommends all members sleep with their bedroom doors closed, an act she has seen that can save lives. 

Keep it festive & safe
All the holiday celebrating can also lead to an increased risk of fires, and families should be well prepared. Brown says to make sure that live Christmas trees are well-watered and checked daily. (She says you only need to watch YouTube videos of trees going up in flames in mere seconds to understand the danger.) 

More people also use candles over the holidays. “For decorative candles, we recommend you use a battery-operated flameless candle, but general good practices are to make sure they are away from things that can burn, and when you leave a room or leave home, that you don’t leave them burning.” 

And if you have a cat or other pets, keep an extra eye out. “This is something we see, and we see it across the country: a cat can jump up and knock something down, and that’s how fires can easily start. Be mindful of where candles are placed.” 

Although it’s less common, fires can start from overloaded electrical circuits, so people should take special care with their holiday light displays. Brown says to use only quality cords and surge protectors that are rated for exterior use and to learn the number of amps that may be required. 

Kitchens always seem busier around the holidays, and knowing how to prevent cooking fires is important. According to the National Safety Council, cooking remains the leading cause of U.S. home fires, and of those, most are started by oil and grease overheating. Brown says the biggest mistake people make is panicking and putting water on a grease fire, which only makes it spread more. Putting a lid on the pan will suffocate the fire. 

Although data from the U.S. Fire Administration shows residential house fires are decreasing (by 4% from 2013-22), vigilance is essential. As you fire up your heaters and fireplaces soon and plan your holiday festivities at home, it’s the perfect time to talk about fire safety with your family. ✦