TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Officers are warning about hearth risks amid a current chilly snap and uptick in home fires.
Because the temperatures drop, firefighters throughout the Tampa Bay space are investigating a number of weekend home fires together with one among that claimed a life.
In Polk Metropolis, the state hearth marshal is investigating a lethal home hearth. Fires additionally broke out at properties in Clearwater, Security Harbor, Tampa and Valrico.
Hearth officers in Citrus County warned about chimney security after a chimney hearth over the weekend.
“Electrical fires, unintended fires, kitchen fires, and now shifting into the vacation season we’ll begin seeing unattended cooking which finally ends up being the primary motive why hearth departments get known as out to properties,” mentioned Vivian Shedd with Tampa Hearth Rescue.
Within the winter months, one in each seven fires is attributable to heating tools, in response to the U.S. Hearth Administration.
Based on the Shopper Product Security Fee, the commonest motive is area heaters.
“Area heaters should be plugged straight into the outlet as a result of they warmth up actually rapidly and that features the twine,” mentioned Shedd. “You do not need to have blankets, or candles or something that is flammable close to your area heater as a result of that is a hearth hazard.”
Shedd is urging individuals to consider security, as extra home fires occur within the colder months than every other season.
“Whereas we’re collectively we wish to have enjoyable and have a superb time, however security ought to be above all else,” mentioned Shedd.
Shedd additionally urged individuals to test smoke detectors of their properties.
