Winter brings holiday celebrations, cozy fireplaces, and seasonal lights but it’s also the most dangerous time of year for home fires. In Pittsburgh, local fire departments see a significant increase in winter-related incidents. Here’s why it happens and what you can do to stay safe.
1. Heating Equipment Fires Increase
Space heaters, fireplaces, and furnaces work overtime in cold months. The risks include:
- Heaters placed too close to fabrics
- Outdated or damaged equipment
- Chimneys overdue for cleaning
- Extension-cord misuse
Safety tip: Keep heaters 3 feet away from anything flammable and plug them directly into the wall.
2. Holiday Decorations Add Additional Hazard
Dry Christmas trees, string lights, and overloaded outlets can quickly turn dangerous.
- Real trees can ignite in seconds when dry
- Old or damaged light strands can spark
- Power strips can overload easily
Safety tip: Water your tree daily and replace light strands with damaged cords.
3. More Cooking, More Fire Risk
Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires and holiday cooking multiplies this risk.
- Unattended stovetops
- Grease buildup
- Distractions from guests or kids
Safety tip: Never leave cooking unattended and keep a Class B or ABC extinguisher nearby.
Protect Your Family This Winter
Make This Specific to Your Home
Use the free Home Preparedness Assessment to explore how the questions in this article may apply to your home and receive a personalized educational report.
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