(Undated) – We have seen some unseasonably warm temperatures lately but bitter cold conditions will return. Fire departments statewide are reminding the public to stay safe when heating their homes. According to the National Fire Protection Association, half of home heating equipment fires are reported during December, January, and February. They say heating is the second leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, and the third leading cause of home fire deaths. Space heaters are responsible for one-third of home heating fires and about eighty percent of home heating deaths. The NFPA reports that fire departments responded to an estimated average of 38,881 fires involving heating equipment per year from 2019-2023, accounting for 12% of all reported home fires during this time, and these fires resulted in an estimated annual 432 civilian deaths, 1,352 civilian injuries, and $1.1 billion in property damages. Learn more at nfpa.org.
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