Fire Prevention Steps Important in Cold Weather

When the temperatures start to fall, the number of 911 calls regarding fires go up, officials with the Oklahoma City fire department said.  Despite the experiencing the first cold weather of the season, the fire department said this weekend was a quit one, but now is still the the time to think about safety and fire prevention.

"They're just dangerous items," Battalion Chief Tommy Iago said about space heaters. "We realize that they've sat in a closet or out in a garage somewhere throughout the summer and they've collected lint and dust.  We just recommend that people clean them out with a vacuum cleaner before they use them."

Iago said people should also inspect fire places for cracks.

October 7 through 13 is National Fire Prevention Week.  The American Red Cross is working to spread awareness.

"Its a time to just kind of be smart about when it comes to house fires. The number one thing that the Red Cross responds to is house fires and this is a time to let people know how to stay safe," Ken Garcia, the spokesperson for the Central and Western Oklahoma Chapter of the Red Cross said.

The Red Cross offers the following tips:

·    Install smoke alarms on every level of the house and inside bedrooms.
·    Replace batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year. Test each alarm monthly by pushing the test button.
·    Ensure that household members know two ways to escape from every room and designate a place to meet outside of your house in case of a fire. Practice your plan at least twice a year.
·    Follow your escape plan in case of fire. Get out, stay out, and call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. Fire Prevention Steps Important in Cold Weather

Posted: Sunday, October 7 2012, 09:22 PM CDT