Tips to Keep Safe and Warm this Winter

A mug of cocoa, good books and a fire in the winter are all cozy. Roasting chestnuts can lead to charred living spaces.

Warmer temperatures and holiday celebrations call for heating, candles, cooking, and lighting. U.S. fire services will respond to 12600 house fires between December 25 and 26, alone. Winter fires can be particularly destructive. Holiday decorations can be extremely flammable. Icy roads and winter storms can slow down fire department response times. Frosted pipes can block water supply to firefighters in extremely cold temperatures.

One new technology can fight fires without water. ARA Safetywww.arasafety.com), a technology company that focuses on life-saving devices, developed the FIT-5, a handheld, non-toxic fire knockdown tool. The FIT-5 is then thrown into a room by firefighters who pull a string. The Fit-5 deploys quickly and interrupts the flames, lowering indoor temperatures rapidly. This makes rescue operations safer.

However, it is always better to avoid fires than to put out them. Here are some tips for keeping your winter warmer and safer.

You should not heat your pipes with an open flame if they have become frozen. A blowtorch is a good idea to use to heat a pipe. To melt frozen pipes, heat water or a handheld dryer are good options.

– Avoid candles. The same ambience can be created by electric candles, but they are safer than open fires. If you prefer real candles, make sure to keep the wicks at least a quarter inch in length and keep them out of reach of children and pets. Never use fire near evergreen needles. When you are done, put out the candles.

You should ensure that holiday lights work properly if you use them. Check the sockets and frayed wire of your holiday lights. You should not connect more than three strands together. Otherwise, you risk overloading your electrical outlets. When you are done with your home, turn off the lights.

– Have your heating system checked. Home inspectors can check the condition of your furnace, kerosene heater or wood-burning stove to ensure it is in top working order.