Winter means festive holidays and time spent with family and friends. But as temperatures drop and residents spend more time indoors, the risk of home fires increase during cold weather months.
Tennessee fire departments report a 66% increase in home fire deaths during winter compared to all other seasons. Smoking and cooking account for more than 28% of the known causes for residential structure fires in Tennessee. Separately, medical oxygen has been a component of more than 10% of fire deaths in the Volunteer State over the last decade.
With the start of winter on Saturday, Dec. 21, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) wants Tennesseans to stay safe and warm this season with some simple and effective fire safety messages to share with your stakeholders either in person or on social media.
Always use working smoke alarms. Working smoke alarms are every homeowner’s first line of defense against home fires all year long. To help protect Tennesseans and save lives, the SFMO’s "Get Alarmed, Tennessee!" free smoke alarm program is helping reduce the risk from home fires. Need working smoke alarms? Request a free smoke alarm online.
Never place your Christmas tree near heating equipment, fireplaces, candles, or other heating sources. Keep your Christmas tree watered to prevent the tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
Celebrate New Year's Eve safely by enjoying fireworks at a professional fireworks show. If you are using consumer fireworks, always follow the manufacturer's safety instructions to avoid injuries and home fires.
Keep flammable items like blankets, rugs, or furniture at least three feet away from space heaters and wood stoves.
Practice a home fire escape plan with your family. Everyone should know two ways out of each room.
There is no safe way to smoke while using medical oxygen.
Always turn portable heaters off when leaving a room or going to bed.
Never use your oven to heat your home.
Burn only dry, seasoned wood in fireplaces and wood stoves. Never burn garbage or use flammable liquids to start a fire.
Install wood-burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional perform the installation.
If you smell gas coming from your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company from a safe location.
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