The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s United States Fire Administration (USFA), has announced a new public safety campaign targeting winter fires. The Put a Freeze on Winter Fires campaign is intended to boost public awareness of common winter fire risks and to provide guidance and approaches to reduce fires. The campaign is focused on fire safety associated with cooking and home-heating, two of the largest causes of winter fires. Increased cooking during the holiday season translates to higher fire risk, with Thanksgiving fires occurring at three times the average rate. Similarly, the drop in temperatures over the winter in much of the United States results in more fires linked to heating, particularly in connection with the use of space heaters. To access materials associated with the campaign, including videos, fact sheets, and the 10 Tips to Get Ahead of the Winter Freeze (pdf) printable fire safety checklist, visit NFPA’s official Put a Freeze on Winter Fires campaign website.
