Staying warm indoors? Know these safety tips to reduce fire risks
JACKSON, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance has shared some tips to help reduce house fires as temperatures continue to drop.
Even though the first day of winter is still weeks away, the cold weather is already here. The risks to homeowners and their families increase as more people stay indoors in order to keep warm.
Tips: Staying warm and safe
- Keep flammable items like blankets, rugs, or furniture at least three feet away from space heaters and wood stoves.
- Never place your Christmas tree near heating equipment, fireplaces, candles, or other sources of heat.
- For organic Christmas trees, always keep your tree watered to prevent it from drying out.
- Practice a home fire escape plan with your family. Everyone should know two ways out of each room.
- Always turn portable heaters off when leaving a room or going to bed.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Have heating equipment and chimneys inspected every year.
- Working smoke alarms are every homeowner’s first line of defense against home fires all year long.
If you need help getting a fire alarm, or installing one, the State Fire Marshal’s Office “Get Alarmed, Tennessee!” free smoke alarm program is helping reduce the risk from home fires. To make a request for a fire alarm, click here.
For updates on the weather, click here.
