Some mild, almost warm days have come this first half of December, but winter has still arrived. Overnight lows have already gone down into the 30s, and the coldest few months of the year will arrive shortly.
Residents make heavier use of their heating devices when this time of year comes around. When these devices are not properly maintained or operated, however, they increase the risk of a residential fire. The U.S. Fire Administration tells us 50,100 heating-related residential fires occur nationwide every year, causing 150 deaths. Most break out in the early evening hours, 5 to 9 p.m., and nearly a quarter of all such fires take place in January alone.
When naming some of the key heating dangers seen locally, Hartsville Fire Chief Jeff Burr always includes space heaters. These devices must always be in proper working order, but just as importantly, they must be positioned at least three feet away from anything which might catch fire. This could be furniture, but since many heaters are used in bedrooms, remember also the crucial dangers of blankets and sheets, which can easily combust if overheated.
When buying a space heater, always look for one with a thermostat control mechanism that can cut it off if it becomes too hot, as well as one that shuts off automatically if it is tipped over. Even then, be sure to never leave the heaters unattended, and always turn them off and let them cool before going to bed.
Chief Burr also points to wood-burning fireplaces and stoves as a potential hazard. Chimneys and flues need to be cleaned by a certified cleaner every year, because creosote buildup can eventually start chimney and roof fires.
Smoke detectors provide another crucial aspect of fire safety. We can never say this enough times: smoke detectors save lives. The Hartsville Fire Department advises changing batteries when you turn back the clock in the fall, but the important thing is just to change them annually. Smoke detectors more than 10 years old should be replaced outright.
Finally, Christmas decorations create a concern as well. Many Hartsville residents already have their trees and Christmas lights in place. For these, remember always to look for any frayed wires, insulation gaps, damaged sockets or kinking. To keep from overloading circuits, never link together more than three light strands.
Keeping a Christmas tree watered goes a very long way toward keeping it from being a danger. This is illustrated in videos comparing a regularly watered tree with a dry one, with a fire started on each. The dry tree can be completely engulfed in a single minute or less.
