Why Are House Fires Common in the Winter?
The cold winter months demand heating. Although the indoors may be toasty, heating the home is the leading cause of house fires in the winter season. The ice and subfreezing temperatures also make firefighting more challenging. Here are more reasons house fires are common in winter.
Every year, nearly half a million house fires occur during the winter months. The fire damage is responsible for $3 billion worth of property loss. Almost 2,000 deaths occur and the fire-related injuries rise to nearly 8,000. These injuries primarily occur between November and February.
Why are house fires common in winter?
1. Heating
The culprit behind most wintertime fires is indoor heating. The National Fire Protection Association reports that 43 percent of heating fires in the US is due to space heaters. Fires develop because space heaters are too close to flammable materials, like upholstery, clothing, bedding or mattresses.
2. Fireplaces
Fireplaces, another source of indoor heating, also cause winter home fires. When left unattended, lit fireplaces throw embers and sparks, which jump across the room and create a fire. Unmaintained, uncleaned, and un-serviced fireplaces exacerbate the risk for winter fires, too.
3. Holiday Lights
Decorating for the winter holidays can lead to a home fire. Christmas lights with wear and tear or that are used heavily, for instance, are fire hazards. Especially when in close proximity to the fireplace, candles or other fire sources, the holiday strings of lights can catch fire.
4. Candles
Similarly, candles are often lit to bring warmth to the home on wintry evenings. But candles, when left unattended or placed too close to flammable materials, are serious fire hazards. Candles are open flames and the cause of two out of five home décor structure fires.
5. Dryers
Drying clothes in the clothes dryer is a routine household chore. But dryer fires occur at a rate of 3,000 every year and are common during the fall and winter months. The accumulation of dryer lint prevents heat from escaping the appliance, resulting in a winter fire.
While these are common causes of house fires in winter, it’s also important to be aware that the icy conditions during the season make firefighting more difficult. Firefighters have trouble driving their fire trucks through heavy snow and slippery ice, for instance, delaying their response time.
Extinguishing the fire despite hazardous road conditions is another struggle. Firefighters take time away from putting out the flames as they search for a hydrant that is not frozen. Even once an operational hydrant is found, the fire hoses can become brittle or break in icy conditions.
How do homeowners prevent winter home fires?
When using space heaters to add necessary warmth to a room, practice caution. Place the device at least three feet away from flammable materials, including bedding and upholstered furniture. Do not leave the heater unattended and turn it off before sleeping.
Maintain the chimney properly to prevent a house fire in winter. Clean the chimney regularly to remove creosotes, a flammable byproduct of burning wood. Installing a fireplace screen catches embers and sparks before they fly out and start a fire. Hire a professional to inspect the chimney annually.
Christmas lights should be in good condition. Replace light strings that show evidence of loose bulb connections or whose wires appear frayed or worn. Prior to leaving the home or going to bed, turn off the holiday lights. Do not decorate the tree with lit candles.
The holiday tree around which the lights are strung requires fire safety measures. Both live and artificial trees pose as fire hazards. To prevent an outbreak of flames, place the tree at least three feet from heat sources, like radiators, heat vents, and fireplaces. Ensure it doesn’t block fire exits.
Candles require extra precautions to prevent a house fire in wintertime, when they are heavily used to spruce up the home with comforting scents. Do not leave candles burning unattended or while sleeping. Keep all candles at least three feet away from flammable materials, like the tree or curtains.
Since dryer fires peak in January, it’s advisable to follow safety guidelines to avoid a fire. Remove lint from the dryer after each cycle to prevent a buildup. Professionally clean the dryer ductwork and vent annually. In the interim, regularly check these areas to ensure they do not become clogged.
Being aware of how house fires start in winter is a step toward preventing them. Develop a fire escape plan and practice it with the family. Test the smoke detectors monthly and replace the batteries yearly. Keep a fire extinguisher in the home and teach everyone how to use it.
Home fires can occur at any time of the year. But since winter is a season when many people spend significant time indoors and rely more heavily on appliances, unexpected fires can erupt. The good news is that most winter fires are preventable by following the abovementioned safety tips.
Professional Fire Damage Restoration
It’s also advisable to keep the contact information of a reputable fire damage restoration service handy. Fire damage cleanup services can begin after the local fire officials have fully extinguished the flames.
Highly trained technicians arrive at your home or business to assess the extent of fire damage. If the structural damage is severe, they board up the home or place tarp to secure the property. The fire damage cleanup begins to restore your home to its pre-loss condition quickly.
Soot and smoke are removed using high-tech equipment to prevent lasting damage. They clean all surfaces, including concrete, glass, masonry and tile. If the fire extinguishment process leaves excess water behind, technicians remove the moisture as well as any chemicals.
About Beth Markowski-Roop
Beth Markowski-Roop is an experienced and knowledgeable professional in the disaster restoration industry for over 12 years since 2012. She has a proven track record in marketing, sales, public relations, and media. Beth is an engaging public speaker and has led workshops and seminars in various industries. She has worked with ServiceMaster Restore and ServiceMaster Clean as a Business Development Manager and Field Marketing Manager, providing support to franchise owners. Beth is currently the Marketing & Sales Director for ServiceMaster By Mason, focusing on disaster restoration and floorcare services. She also works closely with hoarding clients and conducts seminars on the hoarding disorder.
