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McGuire AFB Fire Department wants to keep you safe and warm this winter

  • Published
  • By 305th Civil Engineer Squadron
  • fire prevention section
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  As the temperature outside drops, McGuire families take to the indoors to keep safe and warm. What they may not realize is that turning up the heat can increase the risk of home heating fires.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of all home-heating fires occur during the winter months. The latest NFPA research shows that heating equipment was involved in 62,200 reported U.S. home structure fires in 2005, with associated losses of 670 civilian deaths, 1,550 civilian injuries, and $909 million in direct property damage.

"While these numbers are frightening, nearly all of these fires are preventable," said Staff Sgt. Ebony Lee, 305th Civil Engineer Squadron fire emergency services flight. "We can reduce the number of home heating fires in our community by taking some simple precautions and using heating equipment properly."

NFPA and McGuire AFB Fire Department recommend some simple home heating safety tips, so residents can help keep our community safe and warm this winter and help prevent home heating fires.

· Space heaters need space. Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least three feet away from heating equipment.
· Turn portable heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
· Plug power cords only into outlets with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.
· Inspect for cracked, frayed or broken plugs or loose connections. Replace before using. · Have your chimney inspected each year and cleaned if necessary.
· Use a sturdy fireplace screen.
· Allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose of ashes in a metal container.
· Install smoke alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
· Never use an oven to heat your home.
· Remember to think safety at all times!

Santa and his firefighter friends will pass out candy canes during the annual Santa Candy Cane run in McGuire Family housing Dec. 22 beginning at 5 p.m. For any fire safety questions or concerns, call the Fire Prevention section at (609) 754-2451.