EDITORIAL: Don’t take the risk with fire safety

Published 5:43 pm Tuesday, January 12, 2021

We’ve all seen and read stories of house fires resulting in total losses for homeowners, particularly this time of year. 

As the temperatures drop, winter weather presents unique risks. Residents often use space heaters and fireplaces, which commonly lead to an increase in reported fires this time of year. Here are a few tips from the Georgia Insurance Commission to keep in mind and keep our homes safe:

•Keep flammable materials like bedsheets and blankets 3 feet away from any heat source.

•Extinguish any fire in your fireplace and turn off any space heaters when you leave the area or go to bed.

•Ensure your heater is tested by a recognized testing laboratory, and have your chimney inspected by a professional each year.

•Shop for a heater that has an automatic shut-off if the heater tips over.

•Plug portable heaters directly into outlets without any other item on the same circuit.

•Put fireplace ashes in a metal container with a lid and place the container 10+ feet from your home.

•Keep a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace and close the doors to your wood stove.

•Do all you can to make sure “on” switches for fireplaces are kept out of a child’s reach.

•Never use an oven to heat your home.

•Leave the heat on and turn your thermostat to 65 degrees if you leave your home for an extended period.

Visit the office of the commission of insurance and safety fire website for more helpful tips to ensure warmth and safety in your home. 

These tips can save lives, prevent property damage, and ensure fire safety during the winter months.