City of Stockton Press Release

Connie Cochran
Public Information Officer

(209) 937-8827
connie.cochran@ci.stockton.ca.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : Friday, November 21, 2008

Stockton Fire Department Wants to Keep You Safe and Warm This Winter

(Stockton, CA) - As the temperature outside drops, families take to the indoors to keep safe and warm. Turning up the heat can introduce fire risk if heating equipment is not used safely.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), nearly half of all home-heating fires occur during the winter months. The latest NFPA research shows that heating equipment was involved in 62,200 reported U.S. home structure fires in 2005, with associated losses of 670 civilian deaths, 1,550 civilian injuries, and $909 million in direct property damage.

“While these numbers are frightening, nearly all of these fires are preventable,” said Assistant Fire Marshal Captain Mitch Higgins, “We can help reduce the number of home heating fires in our community by taking some simple precautions and using heating equipment properly.”

The Stockton Fire Department and the NFPA urge all Stockton residents to help reduce the number of home heating fires in our community. Here are just a few simple ways you can decrease the risk of a heating fire in your home:

• Keep or maintain a three-foot (one-meter) space between all heating equipment and anything that can burn.
• Do not use your oven to heat your home.
• Inspect and maintain heating equipment regularly for safety.
• Portable space heaters should be turned off every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
• Have your chimney inspected each year and cleaned if needed.

The Stockton Fire Department would like to see every home in the community equipped with a working smoke detector. If you do not have a smoke detector, cannot afford one or if you have a smoke detector that does not work, the Stockton Fire Department will come to your home and ensure that you have one working smoke detector absolutely FREE! If you have any questions or would like to request a smoke detector, please call (209) 937-8338, or, visit www.stocktongov.com and fill out an Ask Stockton Service Request under “Smoke Detectors”.

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