HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Hopkinsville Fire department is entering their busy season as cold, dry weather coupled with seasonal changes inside homes results in more fires.

Dormant heating systems turning on, unsafe usage of space heaters, and increased cooking are a few of the factors that lead to more structure fires during colder months. Payton Rogers, the Public Information Officer with HFD says, “We see folks having clothing too close to space heaters, or different items over floor furnaces. It’s just a new season and new things to remember.”

Rogers says the best way to stay safe is making sure smoke detectors have fresh batteries, and in home fire extinguishers are up to date and easily accessible. Working smoke detectors save lives and ensure quick response times from the fire department. According to Rogers, HFD generally responds to a call within 4 and a half minutes.

“We say when the time changes is a good opportunity to check your smoke alarms and check your extinguishers and know how to use it. And, knowing how to make that flight analysis of when the fire is too big, and you just need to evacuate. You don’t want to turn one emergency into two,” says Rogers.

Important tips to keep you safe

Making sure the entire household is aware of a fire plan is also key to getting out of a house quickly and safely if a fire occurs. Rogers says, “Know two ways out and also having a meeting place that doesn’t change … mailboxes or a tree at a neighbor’s house are great meeting places.”

Here are some more tips to stay safe this season.

  • Check expiration date and gauge on fire extinguishers, and make sure everyone in the household knows how to operate it.
  • Install CO detectors low to the ground wherever there is gas present.
  • Double check that the oven, and space heaters are turned off before leaving the house.
  • If deep frying a turkey, make sure it is completely defrosted.
  • Keep fresh Christmas trees watered and away from space heaters.
  • Pull appliances away from underneath cabinets when cooking.
  • Don’t let handles of pans hang over the side of the stove.
  • Plug space heaters directly into an outlet, not a power strip.