It’s been a cold, blustery day in Atlanta and it’s about to get a lot colder. Temperatures will fall into the teens tonight with wind chills at or near zero. You know the drill: drip faucets, bring in the pets and wear layers when you go out.
“When temperatures drop, many people use whatever they can to stay warm,” said interim Atlanta Fire Chief Joel G. Baker. “Heating is responsible for many residential fires. Last year, more than 100 Georgians died in home fires. We want our citizens to be knowledgeable about fire prevention so they can keep themselves and their families safe.”
AFRD offers these safety tips:
- Make sure to keep all flammable materials, like bedding, rugs and curtains, at least three feet away from space heaters, fireplaces and stoves.
- Never leave space heaters, stoves or fireplaces unattended. Fires should be out and portable heaters turned off before you go to bed.
- Never use the oven to heat your home.
- Do not plug space heaters into extension cords.
- Don’t use heaters to dry wet clothing.
- Never use a fireplace without a screen.
- Don’t use your fireplace if you haven’t had it inspected within the last year.
- Make sure you have smoke alarms with working batteries on every floor.
- Make and practice a fire escape plan.