Fall weather was over before it got off to a good footing. With cooler temperatures comes advice from Fayette County Deputy Fire Chief Tom Bartlett on precautions that should be taken to avoid house fires.
With winter around the corner, Bartlett advised residents with fireplaces to have all fireplaces checked to make sure everything is in working order. Bartlett also noted the need to burn only good, seasoned wood.
The market today continues to be flooded with a variety of space heaters. If using such a supplemental heat source, Bartlett advised making sure all combustibles are kept away from the space heater.
Fire risk can also occur in the kitchen or in other areas of the home. The obvious place for most kitchen fires is on the stove. With that in mind, Bartlett cautioned residents never to leave a stove-top pan unattended.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.
Advice for cooking, though not only during the holidays, includes:
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop and keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey as well, and check on it often.
• If you must step away from your cooking, set a kitchen timer so you don’t get distracted by guests.
• Keep children at least three feet away from the stove, oven, hot food and liquids. Steam or splash from vegetables, gravy, or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep items that can catch fire, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, and towels, away from the cooking area.
Helping to make the point about how fires can start, Bartlett said the Fayette County Fire Marshal’s Office interviewed the occupants after a recent house fire and determined the fire started from an candle burning in a bedroom. The fire involved window curtains and spread to the rest of the room, Bartlett said.
“The department urges residents not to leave open flames (candles) burning unattended. Electric style candle warmers are a good alternative if the resident is using scented candles,” said Bartlett. “Over time, burning candles can shrink and fall over, pets can knock them over or if left close to combustible material the fire can heat the material and the fire will involve the combustibles.”
