Cold weather brings increased home fire risks

A pair of house fires in the past couple days left nearly a dozen people temporarily homeless.

While this is undoubtedly tragic for those involved, it’s an unfortunate fact of life once temperatures drop below zero, as they have in recent days.

There are several ways homeowners can protect themselves from the increased fire danger brought on by the cold. The first and most obvious is to make sure and have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors inside the home. Early warning is the best defense against death and injury, and detectors are the best line of defense.

It’s also important to have fire extinguishers at the ready. Extinguishers need to be up-to-date and homeowners and their families should be familiar with how to use extinguishers ahead of time.

Wood stoves and chimneys are a common source of winter fires, and local fire departments warn to make sure stoves and fireplaces are kept clean. The cost of a chimney sweep might seem like an unnecessary expense when household budgets are tight, but it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than having to rebuild.

Frozen pipes are another source of fire due to the all-too-common practice of thawing pipes out with torches. Firefighters do not recommend this method for keeping pipes from bursting. Instead, it’s a better idea to make sure pipes are properly insulated beforehand.

Also, never return to a burning building to retrieve personal items once you’re out. Nothing inside is worth risking your life over.

Among other tips offered by the U.S. Fire Safety Administration include never using ovens as supplemental heat sources, not overloading electrical sources with too many cords and avoiding the use of space heaters, especially near water sources.

Finally, it’s vital for homeowners to have a plan in place if a fire does break out. Getting out quickly and safely is crucial to limiting damage to property, rather than risking human life. Practice your home safety plan and make sure everyone knows the best way to exit the home if a fire breaks out.

Being aware of the increased fire danger that comes with cold temperatures is one of the most important household safety choices people can make this time of year.