Top Winter Fire Safety Tips to Keep Your Home Safe – Fostoria Free Press

By Home Safety Contributor | December 27, 2025

As winter settles in with colder temperatures and holiday festivities, home fires become a greater risk. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), home fires occur more frequently in winter than any other season, with heating equipment being a leading cause. The good news? Most winter fires are preventable with simple precautions.

Here are the top winter fire safety tips to help protect your family and home this season.

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1. Safe Use of Space Heaters

Space heaters are involved in many winter heating fires. Always keep them at least three feet away from anything flammable, like curtains, furniture, or bedding.

• Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets—never use extension cords or power strips.
• Choose models with tip-over shut-off features and UL certification.
• Turn them off when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Establish a “kid- and pet-free” zone around heaters.
• Consider hiring a certified residential electrical inspector.

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2. Fireplace and Wood Stove Safety

Fireplaces add cozy warmth but require maintenance to prevent chimney fires.

• Have your chimney professionally inspected and cleaned annually to remove creosote buildup.
• Considering hiring a professional thermal imaging scan of you chimney while in use.
• Use a sturdy metal or heat-tempered glass screen to contain sparks.
• Burn only dry, seasoned wood—never trash or green wood.
• Keep flammable items at least three feet away.
• Never leave a fire unattended, and ensure ashes are fully cool before disposal.

usfa.fema.gov

Heating Fire Safety

3. Candle and Holiday Decoration Precautions

Candles and decorative lights contribute to many holiday-related fires.

• Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything flammable and never leave them unattended.
• Extinguish all candles before leaving a room or going to bed.
• Inspect holiday lights for frayed wires, broken sockets, or loose connections—discard damaged sets.
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets, and turn off lights when away or asleep.
• For live Christmas trees, keep them watered daily and away from heat sources.

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4. Cooking Safety

Cooking fires peak during the holidays—never leave the kitchen while food is on the stove.

• Stay attentive when frying, boiling, or broiling.
• Keep flammable items like towels and sleeves away from burners.
• Have a fire extinguisher readily available in the kitchen.

5. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Working detectors are your first line of defense.

• Install smoke alarms on every level, inside and outside sleeping areas.
• Add carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, especially near fuel-burning appliances.
• Test alarms monthly, replace batteries annually, and update units every 10 years.
• Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room.

Additional Winter Tips

• Never use ovens or stovetops to heat your home.
• During power outages, use generators outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows and doors to avoid CO poisoning.
• Clear snow from fire hydrants and ensure your home’s address is visible for emergency responders.

By following these guidelines from experts like the NFPA and USFA, you can significantly reduce fire risks and enjoy a safer winter season. Stay warm—and stay safe!

Sources: NFPA “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires” campaign, USFA, and local fire safety resources.