Put a Freeze on Winter Fires

Home fires occur more in winter than in any other seasons. As you stay cozy and warm this winter season, be fire smart!

Half of all home heating fires occur in the months of December, January and February.

Heating equipment is involved in every 1 in every 7 reported home fires and 1 in every 5 home fire deaths.

Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, or space heaters.

Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away as possible from your home.

Intall and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.

Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and events 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.

Plug only 1 heat-producing appliance (such as a space heater) in to an electrical outlet at a time.

For more information on how to prevent winter fires visit usfa.fema.gov/winter and nfpa.org/winter.

You may click on the image below to download a PDF poster of this information: