EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Fire safety is a year-round concern. However, the holiday and winter seasons bring with it its own issues that could increase the risks of house fires, and fire officials are offering tips so El Pasoans can enjoy a safe holiday season.
“Make sure you replace any burnt-out bulbs and fuses. Inspect the wiring for any wear and tear. Please turn off your Christmas lights before going to sleep or before leaving the house. Also, avoid open-flame candles. That’s very important. LED candles provide the same desired effect and are much safer,” said Hector Gonzalez, a spokesperson for the El Paso Fire Department (EPFD).
With holiday decor like Christmas trees and lights prevalent throughout households, Gonzalez said it’s very important to be careful of how and where you set up decorations.
Below you can find the EPFD’s tips on setting up decorations and trees.
Courtesy of the El Paso Fire Department
Courtesy of the El Paso Fire Department
Gonzalez also urged people to check that their fire alarms are working as well as their batteries, and to consider installing a carbon monoxide detector. He also advises people to purchase a fire extinguisher to have at home in case of an emergency.
On top of these added risks, Gonzalez said that during the winter season, the most common causes of fires tend to be people leaving food cooking unattended, or poorly maintained and dirty heating systems.
HVAC experts, meanwhile, stress that people should have an expert conduct maintenance and cleaning of their heating and air conditioning units once a year prior to the summer and winter seasons.
They advise against people doing it themselves as they could easily bypass crucial steps that could lead to even bigger issues.
“Have a professional do it. Don’t do it yourself. The filter, you could do it yourself, but you need somebody that’s trained to clean the furnace, the burners, everything inside. So, dirty filters are a big cause of (fires), dirty ductwork. So we got to take a look at everything. The whole picture,” said Jesus De La Trinidad, a service manager for Experts HVAC and Refrigeration.
De La Trinidad too urges people to install carbon monoxide detectors.
“We do recommend somebody having it (carbon monoxide detector) in place because you can’t smell it. You can’t see it. You can’t taste it, even if it is present.,” De La Trinidad said.
De La Trinidad says heavy presence of carbon monoxide can cause headaches and advises people to crack open their windows if they feel any such symptoms. He said people can contact them to measure carbon monoxide levels at their homes and their heating units.
You can learn more about Expert HVAC and Refrigeration by visiting their website.
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