Safe in 60: Preventing Winter Home Fires

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Heating, holiday decorations, winter storms and candles all contribute to an increased risk of fire during the winter months, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Half of all home heating fires occur in the months of December, January and February.

You and your family may only have as little as two minutes to escape a burning residence. To prepare, it’s a good idea to have a plan on how to escape the home and practice it at least twice a year. If possible, have two ways to escape each room. You can make this fun for the kids by letting them help you draw up the plan. You can download a fire escape plan here.

Have a designated meeting place for family members once they escape the home.

Statistics show seven people die each day from home fires. Working smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a house fire by half. They should be installed inside each bedroom and on all floors of the home. You should replace the batteries once a year and test the smoke alarms every month. Consider integrating the alarms so that when one alarm sounds, they all do.

Teach everyone in the house what sound the alarm makes so they know what to do when they hear it.

Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher in your home and your vehicle, just in case.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, a large number of home heating fire deaths involve stationary or portable space heaters. Just like candles, never leave portable heaters unattended. If you use a space heater, keep at least three feet of cleared space around any furniture, mattresses, clothing or bedding.

And one more reminder: check your furnace filters every one to two months and replace them often to keep your furnace running properly.

You will find more important information at the links below, including printable fact sheets, resources and tips to help keep you and your family safe this winter.

Salt Lake City Fire Department

National Fire Prevention Association

American Red Cross