CCFR chief shares winter fire safety tips

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As winter approaches, the combination of increased use of heating devices and holiday festivities can elevate fire hazards in the home.

This winter, Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue Chief John Nohr offers advice to help families stay safe while enjoying the season.

“It sounds like I’m being a little grinchy about it, and I don’t wanna put a damper on Christmas,” Nohr said. “I love it just like everyone does. I just want to encourage everyone to be safe.”

General fire safety tips for winter

Homeowners should understand the best practices for portable and stationary heating units, Nohr said. Residents should avoid plugging portable heaters into extension cords or using power strips. Instead they should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.

“Make sure that, if you’re using an electrically heated coil, keep tissues, wrapping paper or anything flammable away from it,” Nohr said. “Plug space heaters directly into the wall or use a heavy-duty extension cord with the same or larger diameter than the heater’s cord.”

In addition to safe heating practices, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are a homeowner’s first line of defense in the event of a surprise. Nohr stressed the devices should be checked regularly to ensure they work. Fire extinguishers should be easily accessible and not stored in places where they may be unreachable during a fire, especially in or near the kitchen.

“What we recommend to everyone, though, is if you have a fire extinguisher, have it near an exitway. So, you’ve made it to the exit — you now grab the extinguisher, and you know that the exit is safely right behind you. You could attempt to fight the fire but also exit out,” Nohr explained.

In apartments, residents should familiarize themselves with the locations of fire extinguishers provided by property management.



Holiday fire risks

The holiday season typically leads to an increased use of electrical devices, particularly holiday lights and decorations both inside and outside the home. Nohr said it is essential people inspect all cords for any damage when packing and unpacking holiday decorations. Frayed or cracked wires should be replaced immediately to prevent sparking or overheating, which can lead to fires. For outdoor decorations, residents should make sure the cords are rated for outdoor use and are labeled as such.

Cooking during the colder months is more frequent, and Nohr highlights the importance of safe cooking practices.

“You don’t wanna pour water into a grease fire. It will just spread the fire. People have burned themselves by grabbing a pan off the stove. They want to swing over to the sink and then put water in it, and a grease fire will just splatter with the water application. Now what you’ve got is flaming grease that is possibly hitting you, hitting the floor, hitting the cabinets, and it tends to spread the fire,” Nohr explained.

Nohr noted that the best way to handle a pan on the stove in the event of a grease fire is to either use a fire extinguisher or, if available, carefully place a lid over the pan to smother the flames. If the inside of an oven is on fire, homeowners should keep the oven shut to ensure oxygen cannot fuel the fire further.

Christmas trees and wreaths — common holiday decorations — can also create significant fire hazards if they dry out. A fresh, natural tree should be kept well-hydrated, Nohr advised. Dried trees release tremendous heat if ignited, causing the fire to spread quickly. If a tree starts to dry out, it should be removed from the home immediately. Wreaths, too, should be monitored and kept moist to prevent becoming fire hazards. Nohr also recommended keeping trees and wreaths away from heat sources, including candles, to further reduce the risk of fire. As well, people should always use a stable surface for candles and never leave them unattended.

Nohr concluded with a reminder: While it’s important to enjoy the holiday season, safety should always come first.

“Keep your electrical circuits from being overloaded. Keep your live decorations hydrated, and enjoy Christmas,” he said.