Tips to Avoid Home Fires During Winter Months

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) have teamed up to “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires.”  The NFPA and USFA are working together to inform the public about ways to keep the public fire-safe this winter.  They are targeting home heating and cooking, which are the leading causes of home fires, particularly during winter months.


According to a recent NFPA report, in 2010, heating equipment was involved in 57,100 reported U.S. structure fires, with associated losses of 490 civilian deaths, 1,530 civilian injuries, and $1.1 billion in property damage.


NFPA and USFA recommend these safety tips:

1. stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling food;
2. if leaving the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the stove;
3. keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from space heaters;
4. check electrical cords and replace damaged ones;
5. do not use an oven or stovetop to heat the home;
6. do not put a Christmas tree up too early and take it down before it dries out;
7. use “flameless” candles; and
8. only use fire-safe cigarettes and smoke outside.

For more information, go to:

• USFA’s website: www.usfa.fema.gov/winter
• NFPA’s website:  www.nfpa.org/winter
• Connecticut’s Commission on Fire Prevent and Control’s website:  http://www.ct.gov/cfpc/cwp/view.asp?Q=515086