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Fire danger heats up in cold weather

Clarissa Kell | Daily Press Escanaba Public Safety Lt. Marc Zawacki looks over fire equipment from one of the department’s fire engines Tuesday. Escanaba Public Safety officers inspect all fire equipment on the trucks every shift.

ESCANABA — With the colder weather comes an increase in people using different methods to heat their homes. Although fires occur year round, people are more at risk for heating-related fires during the winter months.

According to Escanaba Public Safety Lt. Marc Zawacki, heating-related fires are more likely at the beginning of winter when furnaces and wood stoves are first started for the season.

He noted chimney-related fires also spike midway in the season due to creosote buildup from constant use.

As the colder weather approaches, Zawacki provided tips to keep people and their homes safe.

“You want to make sure chimneys are in good working order — they’re cleaned. If you can, have them cleaned and inspected — inspected for cracks (and) make sure they’re not plugged. The biggest thing is to having them cleaned,” he said.

He added people should get chimneys cleaned before starting up the wood stove or fireplace, but to also clean them again during the middle of the heating season.

If heating a home without the use of firewood, Zawacki said people should get their furnaces checked by a qualified inspector because components breaking or wearing out could cause a fire.

When it comes to space heaters, Zawacki explained people should use newer models with safety measures and not to plug them into extension cords or outlet strips.

“You don’t want to use those (extension cords or outlet strips) and overdraw the system,” he said.

Plugging an electric space heater into an extension cord or outlet strip can cause electrical fires.

Zawacki added people should make sure space heaters are clear of combustibles and not accessible to children.

People should never use open devices that emit flames within homes.

According to Zawacki, using a stove, oven or buddy heater, which are used in places like blinds, for heating purposes in homes are not safe because it’s a fire and carbon monoxide hazard.

“Anything with open flame you want to be careful for carbon monoxide,” Zawacki said.

Another risk for fire during the winter season that doesn’t involve heating homes is holiday decorations.

“Any time we’re around the holiday season — you have your Christmas tree, your decorations, and things like that — that’s when people have the tendency to overtax the electrical system in one outlet or one circuit with extension cords and utilizing electrical strips. You’re putting a lot of strain on your electrical system, so you want to be careful of that,” Zawacki said.

When it comes to being prepared for fires, residents should have their dwellings stocked with fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and have an emergency escape plan.

According to Zawacki, homeowners should have a fire extinguisher on every level of a home and periodically check to make sure they’re in working order.

He said smoke alarms should also be tested and batteries should be changed out biannually.

Creating an emergency escape plan with at least two exit strategies is recommended, Zawacki said.

He explained people need to understand that their escape plan may include going out a window instead of a door and people should plan accordingly. He added there are collapsable ladders people can purchase to keep in upstairs bedrooms in the event of a fire.

As a part of the plan, residents should designate an area outside of the home or apartment complex where they will meet in the event of escaping a fire.

“Don’t be afraid to practice the plan,” Zawacki said.

He said it’s one thing to draw up a plan, but it’s important to practice it a few times so people know what to do and where to go.

In the event of a fire, call 911.

Zawacki said designating who will call 911 should be a part of an emergency escape plan.

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