Fire department shares winter safety tips
With more than 150 people dying in Ohio fires in 2022, 2022 was one of the deadliest recent years. The Coshocton Fire Department would like to stress the importance of having a working smoke detector on each level of your home and in sleeping areas/rooms.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, the risk of dying in reported home structure fires is 55 percent lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that worked. It is also important to have a home escape plan and practice it with the occupants in your home. The Coshocton Fire Department may ask to assist you in verifying operation of your smoke detectors while on calls for service. If you need smoke detectors, they are available free of charge at the Coshocton Fire Department.
As you stay cozy and warm this winter, remember to be fire smart. Half of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February. One in every seven home fires and one in every five home fire deaths involves heating equipment. Below are some winter fire safety tips.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, or space heaters.
- Plug only one heat-producing appliance (like a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.
- Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year.
- Store cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container, and keep it outside at least 10 feet from your home and any nearby buildings.
If you have any further questions, contact Brent Endsley, fire prevention officer, via phone at 740-622-2555 or e-mail at bendsley@coshoctonfire.org.
Category: People & Places
