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Fire safety tips after busy night for KC firefighters

Posted at 1:51 PM, Dec 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-15 15:11:10-05

On Thursday the metro was a virtual hotspot for fires. In 12 hours KC and surrounding cities had at least six fires.

As temperatures drop people will do anything to stay warm, including using more heating devices that use more electricity.  All that can mean more fires.

Firefighters said the key times those fires occur are midnight to 6 a.m. – something they call the witch hours.

KC chief fire marshal Floyd Peoples said each year around this time people who need shelter will break into vacant homes to try to keep warm.  Sometimes people will light a fire inside to stay warm.  This is not safe and the fire department responds to more than a dozen of these calls each year.

Decorating Instructions

The National Fire Prevention Association said to be careful with holiday decorations that include a plethora of fire hazards.

  • Peoples said they prefer artificial, flame resistant trees.  He said if they are real, be sure they are watered.
  • Keep candles away from decorations or anything else that can burn.
  • Keep kids away from candles.
  • If any lights, cords or bulb connections are loose or worn, replace them. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
  • Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.

Smoke Alarms

Test your smoke alarms and tell guests a fire escape plan. They urge you to make sure you have a working smoke detector.

“A $10 investment makes you 500 percent more likely to walk out of a fire alive,” said Peoples.

Do not run your extension cord through water or snow.  Don’t run it through the walls – if there’s extra heat and it’s coated that could be a problem.

Space Heater

Make sure your space heater can’t tip over. It shouldn’t be within three feet of anything flammable.

This year KCFD has already responded to some fires caused by space heaters.

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Belinda Post can be reached at belinda.post@kshb.com.

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