As winter approaches, Payton Rogers and Nathan Stewart from the Hopkinsville Fire Department appeared on WHOP News to provide tips on how to safely stay warm and avoid fire risks.
Christmas trees are going in up in many houses and Stewart tells listeners with real trees to turn off the tree lights at night because the lights can get hot creating a risk for fire.
Last year, the fire department responded to an influx of house fires that were caused by space heaters. Rogers says space heaters should be plugged directly into a wall outlet and not into an extension cord. Heaters should also be clean of dirt and lint and be three feet away from any furniture.
Rogers says he understands that people can get desperate when it comes to staying warm, but advises for them to think about what they’re doing to remain warm so that they don’t end up cold and without a roof over their head.
Those who may have questions about safely staying warm can contact the fire department at 270-890-1400.