CLEVELAND, Ohio – With the holidays and winter months arriving, local officials are urging residents to take precautions to stay safe and prevent fires in their homes.
Elyria Fire Chief Joe Pronesti said departments across the country see an increase in fires during the holiday season.
“Everyone is busy in the kitchen during the holidays,” he said. “But you need to know what is happening around you at all times to stay safe.”
Pronesti said residents should never leave appliances on, such as stove tops, while unattended.
He also provided some safety tips for frying a turkey. He said people should not use a fryer close to a building. They should avoid frying a frozen turkey, and they should make sure they aren’t using too much oil.
Pronesti added that families should consider having a fire extinguisher close by in case of emergency.
“Do not use water to put out a grease fire,” he said. “People are always hesitant to use an extinguisher because it will ruin the turkey, but it could save a lot more than that.”
While cooking, Pronesti said, make sure any pot or pan handles are out-of-reach from children or away from the counter.
“We always get calls for severe burns because someone was able to grab something off the stove top or bumped into causing it to spill,” he said.
The concern comes as Elyria firefighters handled two fatal fires in the city last weekend.
The first fire happened at 2:45 a.m. at an apartment in the 500 block of Georgetown Avenue. Upon arrival, firefighters were met with large flames and smoke from a top floor apartment.
Michael Harris, 64, was found in a bedroom, where he was pronounced dead. Twelve families were also displaced due to the damage from the fire.
Less than 12 hours later, a second apartment fire took place in the 100 block of Brunswick Drive.
Firefighters found a 70-year-old man inside a bedroom, who was transported to the University Hospital’s Elyria campus, where he was pronounced dead.
“Both buildings had smoke detectors, but we did not find any in the individual units,” he said. “We say it all the time; if you don’t have a smoke detector, get one. And if you have one, make sure it is working properly.”
Beachwood Fire Chief Steven Holtzman also urged people to make sure they have working smoke detectors.
“Check with your local fire department; they may hand them out for free,” he said. “Otherwise, charities such as the Red Cross often provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for homes that need them.”
For holiday fire safety, Holtzman urged residents to pay attention to trees and candles.
“Between Hanukkah and Christmas, there are typically more candles lit in homes, and we just want to make sure we aren’t leaving any flames unattended,” he said. “Blow out the candles if you are leaving the room.”
He also wanted to remind residents to water their Christmas trees every day.
“A dry tree is a dangerous tree,” he said. “It’s just like a forest fire. If a tree can go up in flames outside, it can do the same in your living room.”
Holtzman said he wants residents to practice fire prevention and safety through the winter months – not just the holidays.
With colder weather coming, more people use alternative heating methods, such as personal heaters and electric blankets. Following manufacturer suggestions for each item is important to “putting a freeze on winter fires,” Holtzman said.
“Make sure to check the amperage for each product you use,” he said. “If you overuse outlets, it’s much easier to cause an electrical fire.”
Holtzman said homeowners should create a plan of action that includes how to escape from a fire and where to meet other family members afterwards.
“Call your local fire station, and [firefighters] will help you set up a specific plan for your home,” he said. “We are here to help and just want people to not only have a safe holiday but be safe every day.”
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