DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) – The Dothan Fire Department is reminding residents to take extra precautions as the Wiregrass braces for the season’s first freeze.
Fire officials urge everyone to protect their plants, pets, pipes, and people, and to keep safety in mind when using heating equipment this winter. Home fires occur more often during cold weather than any other time of year, and heating equipment is involved in one out of every seven home fires nationwide.
To stay safe, the Dothan Fire Department recommends:
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, or space heaters.
- Move furniture and curtains away from wall heaters.
- Plug only one heat-producing appliance (such as a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.
- Have your chimney and vents inspected by a qualified professional each year.
- Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.
- Keep portable generators outdoors, away from windows, and as far from the home as possible.
- Store cooled ashes from fireplaces or wood stoves in a metal container, at least ten feet from your home.
Officials say these simple steps can help prevent tragedy and keep families safe as temperatures drop across the Wiregrass.
For more winter fire safety information, visit www.usfa.fema.gov/winter or www.nfpa.org/winter.
