Fire Officials Give Tips on How to Stay Warm, Safe This Winter in Malden

With temperatures falling as winter approaches, Malden Fire Chief Jack Colangeli and State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan are asking residents to take steps toward staying warm and safe.

“As families plan for the winter months, it is more important than ever to practice safety first when heating your home,” said Colangeli said in a press statement. “It’s important to give furnaces an annual check-up because efficiently running furnaces save money and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

“Certified professionals should check chimneys for cracks in the mortar and clean accumulated creosote to prevent chimney fires,” he added.

Heating is the second leading cause of fires in the home in Massachusetts, reads the statement. One out of every 20 space heater fires in the past five years has caused a fire death, the statement adds. 

December through February are typically the peak months for house fires, as the cold weather drives people indoors, heating systems are taxed, and there is more use of space heaters, according to the statement.

Heating is also the leading cause of carbon monoxide poisoning and with that fire officials are urging Maldonians have both working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on each floor of their home. Test the alarms once a month and change batteries twice a year, reads the statement. Make sure to check on elderly neighbors regularly in the cold months, adds the statement.

“Tragedy frequently strikes in winter months where many fire deaths are caused by heating,” Coan said in the statement. “We can’t stress enough the importance of taking precautions with space heaters, keeping them at least three feet from anything that can burn, and properly disposing of wood stove ashes, as simple steps to safeguard you and your family this winter.”

The Department of Fire Services, along with the Malden Fire Department, will educate residents about winter fire safety through the Keep Warm, Keep Safe public awareness campaign, reads the statement. The campaign will include radio and television ads, English/multilingual ads in public transit systems, multi-language flyers and brochure and a grassroots outreach effort led by local fire departments, according to the statement.

Residents often turn to space heaters, pellet stoves, or their fireplace to offset the rising cost of heating fuel, reads the statement. For the most part, these alternative heating devices can be safe; however, there are simple steps you can take to safeguard you and your family this winter, adds the statement.

Space heaters can cause fires if they are placed too close to flammable materials such as drapes, furniture or bedding, reads the statement. Firefighters suggest keeping objects that can burn three feet away from the space heater and use only heavy-duty extension cords, adds the statement.

For residents heating their homes by burning solid fuels such as coal, firewood, pellets, make sure to dispose of the ashes properly, according to the statement. Place ashes in a metal ash can with a secure lid and place it away from the house, garage and deck, adds the statement. 

A single ember can stay hot for days without being detected and easily fanned back to life, reads the statement. Do not place ashes in cardboard boxes or plastic containers, inside the garage, the breezeway, or under the porch, adds the statement. Have the chimney annually cleaned by a certified professional who can also check for cracked or broken mortar, reads the statement.

Natural gas and fuel oil are both safe and efficient, reads the statement. Maldonians should make sure to have a professional clean and tune-up your furnace and hot water heater every year, according to the statement. 

“Gas leaks can be poisonous so the gas company adds something to make it smell like rotten eggs,” reads the statement. “If you suspect a leak, move outdoors and contact the local fire department immediately.”

For more information on winter heating and fire safety, visit www.mass.gov/keepwarmkeepsafe or call Malden Fire Department at 781-397-7390.