Put a Freeze on Winter Fire Risks

Published on January 08, 2025

Woman in rocking chair covered with blanket sitting near portable electric heater.

Home fires occur more in the winter than during any other season. As you stay cozy and warm this winter, be fire smart in The American Dream City!

Did You Know?

  • Nearly half (46%) of all home heating fires occur in December, January or February.
  • Nearly one in every eight (12%) home fires and nearly one in every five (18%) home fire civilian deaths involve heating equipment.

How to Stay Safe

  • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from any heat source such as a fireplace, wood stove, radiator or space heater.
  • Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away from your home as possible. 
  • Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.
  • Plug in only one heat-producing appliance, like a space heater, into an electrical outlet at a time.
  • Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year.
  • Store cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep the container at least 10 feet away from your home or any nearby building.

For more information on how to prevent winter fires, visit usfa.fema.gov/winter and nfpa.org/winter.

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