With a frosty weekend ahead, the Gatlinburg Fire Department is urging locals to exercise caution with home heating methods and to stay vigilant about fire safety. Sub-zero nights are ahead, as forecasted by the National Weather Service in Morristown, with temperatures expected to dip below 20 degrees and into the single digits, reported GatlinburgTN.gov.
Winter, a season notorious for elevated risks of home fires, sees heating equipment tangled up in roughly one-sixth of such incidents, as the National Fire Protection Association details. According to the association's stats, this gear also contributes to one in every five home fire deaths. "As temperatures drop, people rely more heavily on space heaters, fireplaces, and other heating sources, which significantly increases the risk of fire if they’re not used correctly," Gatlinburg Fire Chief David Gray stressed in a city's website statement emphasizing that the majority of winter fires are avoidable with proper safety practices.
Ensuring that flammable items remain at least three feet from heat sources, such as wood stoves and radiators, is one of the key preventative strategies outlined by fire officials. Plus, there should be just one heat-producing appliance per electrical outlet, and space heaters should be powered down when not actively in use or when the area is unoccupied. Further, annual cleanings and checks of fireplaces and chimneys by qualified professionals are highly recommended to prevent chimney fires.
Carbon monoxide is another lurking hazard during the cold months. Firefighters are recommending that residents install carbon monoxide alarms on every home level and test these monthly. In addition, portable generators must be operated outdoors and situated at a safe distance from windows and doors – a tactic that will help prevent CO from sneaking into living spaces. For those who've embraced a fireplace's warm glow, officials remind you to store cooled ashes in a metal container with a tight lid, placed at least ten feet from any structure.
The department further cautions against employing temporary solutions like ovens, grills, or stovetop heating to warm homes. Candle use requires supervision to prevent accidents. They also underscore the importance of checking up on vulnerable individuals during such extreme weather conditions. In the unfortunate event of a fire or detection of smoke, immediate evacuation and contacting emergency services are imperative.
Lastly, for those residing within the coverage area of the Gatlinburg Fire Department, there is an opportunity to receive a free smoke alarm installation. This is part of the "Get Alarmed, Tennessee" program, which is geared towards homes lacking a functional alarm or those with alarms over a decade old. The catch is that the alarms in question have to be installed by Gatlinburg Fire Department personnel.
