Cold weather doesn't have to mean fire

The state Fire Marshal's Office is taking advantage of Fire Prevention Week's theme "Team Up for Fire Safety" to remind Carson Country residents that with the approaching colder days it's time to remember home fire safety.

"We tend to forget about things like space around the water heaters and furnaces and overloaded outlets during the summer months," said Deputy Fire Marshal Dennis Ely. "With this week we want people to be aware of what's going on in their home or their grandparent's home."

Ely said the state typically has a higher fire rate during the colder months because everyone begins firing up their furnaces and fire places without thinking of maintenance.

"We have people that are using space heaters and people burning too much wood in their fire place and we're not getting our chimneys cleaned or having our furnaces serviced," he said.

Ely said keeping flammables away from furnaces and hot water heaters, giving those items plenty of room to breathe and having your chimney cleaned can save countless lives.

In 2000, there were 20 Clark County fire fatalities, four in Washoe County and four throughout the rest of the state.

Nationally, 1.7 million fires accounted for more than 4,000 deaths, 22,000 injuries and $11 billion in losses.

"Paying extra attention to fire safety during this designated week can save lives," said state Fire Marshal Chief Doyle Sutton. "Nevadans should implement this national campaign's safety theme right at home by installing and testing smoke alarms, practicing home escape plans and hunting down fire hazards."

BREAKOUT

For more information on fire safety visit http://www.nfpa.org.