Cold weather increases fire calls

Gwinnett County firefighters are readying for a busy winter season. Home heating is a leading cause of residential fires in Gwinnett County, said Fire and Emergency Services Captain Thomas Rutledge . Many of these fires occur due to poorly maintained heating appliances or those that are placed too close to combustible materials. Keep space heaters or portable heaters away from combustible materials such as clothing, boxes, and furniture and out of the way of high-traffic areas. Allow three feet of open space around the heater in all directions. Only use a fireplace or properly installed wood-burning stove that has been cleaned annually and inspected by a certified professional. The damper should always be open when the fireplace is producing heat. Use a glass or metal screen to keep hot embers or sparks from jumping out and igniting furniture or carpeting. Never attempt to use a rangetop stove or an oven as a supplemental heat source. These can be a source of toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide. < p> For more information on fire safety, please contact the Programs and Services Section of the Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services at 678.518.4850