In December there have already been a couple of heating-related fires that could have been prevented.

                     Curtains draped over baseboard heater

Heaters are the second leading cause of fires in residential buildings. As would be expected, most heating-related fires occur during the winter months when heaters get turned on and the use of portable heaters and fireplaces increases. Fires caused by furniture, bedding, and other materials placed too close to baseboard heaters and portable heaters are the most common types of heating-related residential fires.

Safety Precautions for Residents

• Give your heaters space. Do not put anything close to any type of heater.

• Never use an extension cord with a portable heater. Plug the heater directly into a wall outlet.

• Make sure your portable heater is tested by an independent testing laboratory and has an automatic shut off feature if it tips over.

• Turn portable heaters off before leaving the room or before going to bed.

• Never permit any item to drape across heaters.

• Clean or replace furnace filters regularly.

• Inspect all heating equipment yearly and always hire an experienced electrician to do any necessary repair work on your baseboard heaters.

For more Heating Fire Safety information

With the arrival of cooler weather and darker days, the use of candles and other types of festive lighting increases. Unfortunately, the number of fires caused by candles also increases. A recent home fire that started from a candle left unattended in a living room provides another reminder about the potential damage from a single flame.

Candles are used in 70% of US American households. Yet, a study by the National Fire Protection Association shows that only 30% of adults who use candles have a specific household rule to never leave a burning candle unattended.

Consider adopting the following candle safety rules in your home:

1. Always keep burning candles within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep.
2. Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.
3. Keep burning candles away from items that can catch on fire such as furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, etc.
4. If light is needed during a power outage, use battery-operated light source instead of candles.

Whether you are gathering for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving, keep safety in mind if you decide to forgo takeout and use your oven this year. Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking-related fires. And if you are considering frying a turkey this year, BE CAREFUL! The US Fire Administration has some recommendations if you decide to fry a turkey this year.

Here are a few more thankful safety tips:

• Check on food regularly while cooking – unattended cooking is the number one cause of home fires
• Keep children at least 3 feet away for the stove
• Unplug kitchen electrical items which have a heating element such as coffee pots, rice cookers and toasters, when not in use
• If a fire starts on the stove top, cover it with a lid or metal cookie sheet and turn the stove off. Do not throw water on a grease fire.

For more information, contact Public Affairs at fireinfo@seattle.gov

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning beginning Tuesday afternoon and ending Friday night. Finding ways to stay cool and hydrated is even more important during heat waves to prevent heat-related illnesses. 

People at highest risk from high heat include:

• Older adults
• Young children
• People with mental illness and chronic disease
• Athletes who exercise outdoors
• Outdoor workers
• People experiencing homelessness 

Stay Safe in the Heat

• Drinking water and other fluids often is important.  Don’t wait until you’re thirsty!
• Eat foods with lots of water in them.
• Check on family and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to heat.
• Children can also have heat exhaustion because they are so active and forget to drink water.
• Keep children out of the direct sun during the hottest part of the day.
• Never leave babies, young children or pets in a parked car – even with the windows rolled down. Not even for a minute. Cars can get dangerously hot in seconds!
• People who work outside should take frequent breaks to cool off.

How to Cool Down 

• Drinking water and other fluids often is important.  Don’t wait until you’re thirsty!
• Eat foods with lots of water in them.
• Play in fountains and sprinklers, go to the swimming pool, and stay in the shade.
• Try to go somewhere with air conditioning on a hot day.  Consider community centers, malls, libraries or a friend’s house.

Protect Pets

• Pets are especially vulnerable in high heat and the Seattle Animal Shelter recommends the following:
• Never leave your animal unattended in direct sunlight. Provide a shady area for retreat, such as a dog house, porch or shady tree, and always provide cool water.
• If you leave animals indoors, open screened windows, keep a fan running, provide plenty of water, and, if possible, leave them in a cool location.
• Never leave animals unattended in a vehicle. Animals do not perspire like humans; they cool themselves by panting. Seats in vehicles get hot under animals’ feet and prevent them from perspiring through their paws. Temperatures rise quickly leaving them trapped and unable to escape the heat.
• If you must travel with your pet, carry water. If a trip requires you to leave your pet in the car at any point, think about saving that for another day. It’s not worth the risk.
• Avoid overexerting your animal in hot weather. Exercise is fine when taken in moderation, but extreme heat conditions, obesity, old age, breed and underlying disease can predispose an animal to the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• For birds, take caution and place the bird’s cage away from direct sunlight during the intense heat of the afternoon. Provide water and fruits and vegetables with high moisture content.

Cooling Centers

Many library branches and senior centers are serving as cooling centers, view a map of all of the City of Seattle Cooling Centers.

Staying Cool – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Preparing yourself for hot weather from Seattle-King County Public Health

Photo Courtesy of John Odegard

The warm, dry weather in Seattle over the past month has brought with it an increase in dry-weather related fires. Since July 1, the Seattle Fire Department has responded to over 200 dry weather-related fires involving bark, dry grass and shrubs.

Steps to help reduce the chance of such outdoor fires include the following:

• Carelessly discarded cigarettes and other smoking materials can easily start a fire in dry conditions. Douse smoking materials in water before tossing out. Make sure proper cigarette disposal canisters are available in areas where smoking is allowed.
• Remove long grass, weeds or anything that can burn from around buildings. This includes limbs that touch buildings or hang near the roof.
• Remove dead plants or bushes as soon as possible.
• Clear roof and gutters of needles and leaves.

Are your smoke alarms over 10 years old? Do you have enough smoke/CO alarms in your home?

According to the National Fire Protection Association, dead batteries caused one-quarter of the smoke alarm failures in home fires across the US.

A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.

Get some piece of mind and check your smoke alarms today.

The Seattle Fire Department recommends that you install at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and inside each bedroom.

Do you need smoke/CO alarms in your home? You may qualify for free smoke/CO alarms from the Seattle Fire Department if you meet the following criteria:

• You live in the City of Seattle
• You own and live in your home
• You are a senior or have a disability

To request the installation of smoke/CO alarms in your home, call the Seattle Fire Department’s Public Affairs unit at (206) 386-1337 or send an e-mail to fireinfo@seattle.gov

Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

This tragic event provides a solemn reminder about the dangers of fire and its devastating impact on communities.

Remember these safety precautions when attending large gatherings and other public assemblies:

Before You Enter Take a Good Look

Does the building appear to be in a condition that makes you feel comfortable? Is the main entrance wide and does it open outward to allow easy exit?

 When You Enter, Locate All Your Exits

Like on an airplane, identify the location of all available exits from the building. Are they clearly marked and well lit? Always be prepared to use the exit closest to you, as you may not be able to use the main exit.

 Check For Clear Exit Paths

Make sure aisles are wide enough and not obstructed or blocked. If there are not at least two clearly marked exits, or they are blocked, report the violation to the management.

Leave the building if it is not immediately addressed.

Call the Seattle Fire Department’s Fire Marshal’s Office at 206-386-1450 to register a complaint.

 Do You Feel Safe?

Does the building appear to be overcrowded? Are there fire sources such as candles burning, pyrotechnics, or other heat sources that may make you feel unsafe? Are there safety systems in place such as sprinklers, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers?

Ask if you have concerns, and leave if you don’t feel safe.

 During an Emergency React Immediately

If an alarm sounds, or you see any indication of smoke or fire, immediately exit the building in a calm and orderly fashion. Use your closest exit, even if it is not the main exit.

 Get Out and Stay Out

Once you have escaped, stay out and move away from the building.

This allows others to exit safely and firefighters to enter.

To learn more:

Nightclub Fire Safety Requirements

Nightclub Fire Safety

Fire Evacuation in Places of Public Assembly

Whether you are gathering for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving, keep safety in mind if you decide to forgo takeout and use your oven this year. Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking-related fires. And if you are considering frying a turkey this year, BE CAREFUL! The US Fire Administration has some recommendations if you decide to fry a turkey this year.

Here are a few more thankful safety tips:

• Check on food regularly while cooking – unattended cooking is the number one cause of home fires
• Keep children at least 3 feet away for the stove
• Unplug kitchen electrical items which have a heating element such as coffee pots, rice cookers and toasters, when not in use
• If a fire starts on the stove top, cover it with a lid or metal cookie sheet and turn the stove off. Do not throw water on a grease fire.

For more information, contact Public Affairs at fireinfo@seattle.gov

One small flame resulted in a 3-alarm marina fire on November 2 with damage to 11 boats. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

Candles are used in 70% of American households. Yet, a study by the National Fire Protection Association shows that only 30% of adults who use candles have a specific household rule to never leave a burning candle unattended.

Consider adopting the following candle safety rules in your home:

1. Always keep burning candles within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep.
2. Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.
3. Keep burning candles away from items that can catch on fire such as furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, etc.
4. If light is needed during a power outage, use battery-operated light source instead of candles.

For more tips on candle safety visit the Home Heating Fire Safety Fact Sheet.