As the weather goes from cool and crisp, to downright cold this week, there is an annual feeling of anxiousness among area firefighters and first responders.
While everyone hopes they never need the services of the local fire department, the fact is that October is traditionally the start of fire season. With homeowners turning up their heat for the first time, lighting fireplaces, cooking indoors, and taking on all kinds of outdoor chores that often lead to burning, it’s the perfect time to look at ways to mitigate fire risks.
National Fire Prevention Week runs Oct. 8-14.
Here are some tips to make sure a careless mistake doesn’t lead to a devastating fire:
• Do NOT burn yard debris – Here on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau we are roughly 15 inches below normal rainfall for the year thus far in 2023 and there has not been any significant rain for more than two weeks. It’s dry, the air is cool with low humidity, and the fall breeze is starting to pick up. The conditions are not safe to be burning any leaves or brush.
• Have your chimney swept/inspected – Chimney fires are among the most common fire sources in October and November as homeowners light their first indoor fires of the fall. If your chimney is backed up it can create a hazard. Have a professional inspect the chimney and clean it as often is necessary.
• Keep an eye on the kitchen – While there may not be a specific indoor cooking season, the fall and winter lead the way for kitchen fires. US fire departments responded to an average of 158,400 structure fires per year from 2017-2022 that were ignited by cooking activities. Unattended cooking using a range or cooktop was the leading cause of those fires.
• Inspect heating systems – Whether you have central heat and air, baseboard heaters, gas heat, or any other form of home heating system, now is the time to have it inspected. Any electrical issues, problems with heating elements, extinguished pilot lights, etc. should be addressed before kicking the heat on.
Let’s all enjoy the fall weather while we have it, and take the proper steps to avoid creating unnecessary fire risks.