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Winter Holiday Safety

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winterfacts

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The United State Fire Administration (USFA) and NFPA are working together to remind everyone that home fires are more prevalent in winter than in any other season, due in part to an increase in cooking and heating fires. Holiday decorations and winter storms that can interrupt electrical service and cause people to turn to alternative heating sources also contribute to the increased fire risk.

COOKING
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and related injuries. Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment.
In 2011, cooking was involved in an estimated 156,300 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments.

HEATING
Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during the winter months. In fact, half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, and February.
The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (28%) is failure to clean, principally creosote from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys