North Little Rock issues a warning about home fires caused by unsafe heating methods during the winter

Little Rock, Arkansas – With the arrival of colder temperatures, there is a concerning rise in the risk of house fires. Consequently, the City of North Little Rock is urging residents to avoid unsafe heating practices.

The North Little Rock Fire Department reported responding to several fires over the weekend, all stemming from a common issue: individuals attempting to keep warm.

According to Assistant Fire Chief Rick Albers, house fires generally increase during the colder months for that specific reason.

“The arrival of colder temperatures leads to increased heating usage, which is often a factor in fire incidents, resulting in a noticeable rise during this time of year,” Albers states.

Albers observes a recurring narrative each year. “The heater in their house might not be functioning properly, or they could be facing utility problems,” Albers states. “At times, individuals resort to using alternative methods such as turning on their stove or oven to heat their space, which poses significant dangers.”

When activating the fireplace isn’t a common practice in a home, some additional preparations might be necessary beforehand.

“Neglecting to inspect your fireplace or clean your chimney for several years can pose a serious risk of a structure fire,” Albers warns.

According to Albers, having an annual inspection of your fireplace is highly recommended.

Additionally, exercising extra caution is advisable when trimming the tree near a heater.

“In times when our homes become a bit more cluttered with items such as Christmas trees and packages, they often end up positioned nearer to space heaters or wall heaters than usual,” Albers notes. “Suddenly, there are developments occurring nearby, so we must remain vigilant about that.”

Albers advises maintaining a distance of three feet between the space heater and any combustible materials.

“It’s important to monitor all those uncommon items in your home and ensure that you’re handling them safely,” Albers advises.

Furthermore, Albers suggests switching off the Christmas tree when it’s not in use.