Huntsville Fire & Rescue provides fire safety tips ahead of extreme cold

Printed on December 20, 2022

Huntsville Fireplace & Rescue is urging the general public to follow fireplace security as excessive chilly climate approaches the Tennessee Valley.

Meteorologists count on a robust Arctic air mass will push by the area starting the night time of Thursday, Dec. 22, by the vacation weekend. The Nationwide Climate Service initiatives temperatures will dip to the one digits at occasions with wind chill values as little as minus 15 levels. Snow flurries are additionally potential Thursday night and Friday morning.

Within the occasion of energy outages, Fireplace & Rescue Chief Mac McFarlen advises residents towards utilizing conventional candles for emergency lighting. Residents ought to flip to flameless or LED candles, flashlights and different technique of lighting as an alternative.

In response to the U.S. Fireplace Administration (USFA), Christmas is the height day for candle fires. Add doubtlessly excessive winds to the combination, and the chance will increase. For many who do use conventional candles, the USFA recommends conserving them not less than 12 inches from something that would burn.

“With winter climate anticipated all through the weekend, we encourage everybody to solely use flameless candles, that are a protected and smoke-free possibility,” he stated. “We additionally advise towards pointless outside fireplace pits throughout excessive winds, as sparks from the fireplace can journey to surrounding vegetation or buildings, inflicting a doubtlessly devastating fireplace.”

Different fireplace security suggestions throughout excessive chilly:

1. Guarantee all smoke alarms are functioning correctly
2. Preserve fireplaces, wooden stoves, radiators or house heaters not less than 3 toes from flammable surfaces
3. Place moveable mills outdoors, away from home windows and as far-off from your property as potential