Officials Warn The First Cold Weather Usually Means a Jump in Fires

As the temperatures go down, the risk of house fires goes up.

Emergency Services officials say often they have a jump in fire calls when the first chill hits as people turn on space heaters or home heating systems for the first time without taking proper precautions or maintenance steps.

The Firefighters Association of New York State is urging residents to be prepared for the cold weather as Fire Prevention Week is about to start on October 6  That can be as simple as to make sure smoke alarms are in proper working order by regularly testing them.

New Yorkers are especially encouraged to install the new alarms equipped with sealed-in, non-removable batteries that last for ten years.

FASNY President Steven Klein says right now, New York leads the nation in civilian fire deaths with three out of every five home fire deaths happening in a home without a working smoke alarm. There have been 87 deaths in fires in New York so far this year.

Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, in each bedroom and near all sleeping areas. Devices should be tested monthly and replaced if they are more than ten years old. It is also a good idea to interconnect smoke alarms so that if one sounds, they all sound.