In West Columbia Fire Chief Marquis Solomon’s 26-year career in fire service, he has worked through many winters. He said it is a good idea to take precautions to make sure your home is safe in the cold weather months.

“There are some circumstances that occur in the winter that could increase the risk of a house fire,” Solomon said. “The chance for fire may be higher because of home heating methods.”

Despite the increase in home heating in the winter, Solomon said there is a slight decrease in the number of house fires around the holidays because people are home more and when they are home they can monitor possible situations that may otherwise lead to a fire. 

Chief Solomon also provided some recommendations regarding home heating:

• Make sure heater fuel you are using is the correct fuel so that the heater is not combustible;
• Place heaters a safe distance away (at least three feet) from anything flammable;
• Remove all clutter around the heater that could catch fire.
• Solomon also said to be cautious when using extension cords.

“Don’t run electrical cords under rugs or furniture, out of windows, or across walkways and sidewalks,” he said. “And you should avoid connecting extension cords together, or daisy-chaining, cords. The cords could overheat and that can create a fire hazard.”

The fire chief also encourages families to make fire safety a priority during the Holiday season. Solomon said decorations should be kept a safe distance (3 feet or more)  away from heat sources, like fireplaces and candles. And don’t leave candles burning overnight.

Other recommendations regarding Holiday safety

• Water your natural Christmas tree so it doesn’t dry up and become flammable
• Turn off your decorations when you leave your home and when you’re sleeping. Most deadly fires happen while people are asleep.
• Extension cords are a common cause of home fires. Use as few as possible.
• Overheated electronics under pillows and blanket could start a fire
• Have a working smoke alarm in each bedroom and on every level, and test smoke alarms to make sure they’re working. If you don’t have access to an alarm the West Columbia Fire Department will come to your residence and install smoke alarms.
• Switch off space heaters before leaving the room. Inspect your decorations and discard any that are damaged or worn out.
• If you use natural gas in your home, have a Carbon Monoxide detector in every room if possible.

Energy efficiency in the winter
Dominion Energy provides tips to help customers be more energy efficient in the cold weather months. Customers can manage heating costs without sacrificing warmth. See the tips below:

• Set the thermostat to 68 degrees during the day.
•  Lower the thermostat while sleeping or away from home.
• Wear extra layers of clothing for additional warmth.
• Caulk around windows and doors where there is a draft.
• Replace air filters every month.
• Open curtains to allow sunlight into the home
• Have attic insulation of at least 12 inches.

The Holiday season is one characterized by warmth, joy and family. Chief Solomon said practicing fire safety will help West Columbia families remember the season with fondness, not tragedy. Be safe and keep energy costs lower, too