Sand Mountain Reporter

Holiday season house fires kill more than 400 people and injure another 1,650 nationally each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

The hope is none of those deaths or injuries happens on Sand Mountain during the upcoming holiday season.

Albertville and Boaz fire officials urge residents to use caution during the colder days ahead.

“I believe house fires will increase because people will start using fireplaces and space heaters,” Albertville fire Chief Robert Terrell said. “Some people don’t have fireplaces inspected like they should.

“Then you have Christmas and holidays coming up, and people increase the use of candles and Christmas trees.”

Boaz fire Chief Mike Sparks said issues with space heaters and chimney fires during the cold-weather months are common.

“Most of what we see is accidental fires from space heaters,” Sparks said. “They’ll get pushed up against a couch or a bed or turned over.

“We usually have a rash of chimney fires from creosote buildup with people not cleaning their chimneys.”

Fire officials recommend practicing a home escape plan and having emergency numbers handy in case of a fire.

The number for Albertville Fire and Rescue is 891-8235 and Boaz is 593-8488.

Fire safety tips

Holiday season fires cause more than $990 million in damages nationally each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

The agency suggested a number of simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday.

Here are a few:

• Holiday lights: Inspect for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting lights up. Do not overload electrical outlets with more than three light strands unless directions indicate it’s safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires; they should not be warm to the touch.

• Christmas trees: Live trees need to have fresh needles and a sticky trunk. Keep watered and discard after two weeks or when dry. Bounce the tree on the ground. If a lot of needles fall off, the tree is probably a fire hazard.

• Holiday Decorations: Never put wrapping paper in a fireplace. It can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers.

• Candles: Not recommended but if you use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they can’t be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.

• Smoke alarms: Have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times.

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Serving Albertville and the Sand Mountain region

Publisher: Ben Shurett

1603 Progress Drive
Albertville, Alabama 35950

Tel: 256-840-3000 | Email

A Southern Newspapers publication.