IDAHO — As winter approaches, the risk of house fires is rising, local firefighters warn. The Boise Fire Department is sharing guidance to help residents avoid potential hazards during the colder months.
Senior Captain Roy Beam, a fire prevention expert with the Boise Fire Department, highlighted the call sources they received during the winter months. “The most common fire calls received during the winter are from scented candles, cooking and appliances typically with a heater like an HVAC system where you have something go wrong with the system itself,” he said, adding that dryer fires also occur when lint traps accumulate uncleaned lint.
To reduce fire hazards, Captain Beam advised taking preventative measures with HVAC systems. “Making sure your air filter has been cleared or cleaned or replaced every three months if you haven’t done that yet,” Beam added. He recommends starting up heaters to ensure they operate appropriately.
Additionally, Beam underscored the importance of installing carbon monoxide alarms alongside smoke alarms, particularly for homes with attached garages or natural gas appliances. These devices detect poisonous gas that can go unnoticed until health issues arise. “If they don’t have a carbon monoxide alarm, they tend to notice there’s a problem when they start getting headaches or difficulty breathing,” he said.
The department’s primary advice to homeowners and renters is to always check smoke alarms and develop a fire escape plan. According to Capt. Beam, “The best piece of advice we can give to homeowners and renters is always check your smoke alarm and have a fire escape plan for your family because we can go in and rescue the stuff. But we can’t replace the people that get hurt.”
Firefighters stress that having an emergency plan can save lives, emphasizing the safety of all family members in the event of a fire.
