Lowell, MA – Lowell residents may be enjoying a brief warmup this Thursday, but local fire officials say the break from freezing temperatures is no reason to let safety slide. After a week of single-digit lows, firefighters are urging residents to review heating precautions before colder air returns later this week.
According to the Lowell Fire Department, winter calls tend to spike after warm-cold temperature swings, when residents quickly restart fireplaces, wood stoves, and portable space heaters. Fire officials say chimneys packed with creosote, crowded heating areas, and improper use of electric heaters are among the most common hazards seen during sudden weather changes.
Firefighters recommend that homeowners have chimneys professionally cleaned if they have not been serviced recently. Officials also advise using a protective fire screen, keeping flammable decorations and furniture at least three feet from the hearth, and fully extinguishing fires before going to bed.
Space heaters remain a major concern as well. According to the department, residents should plug heaters directly into a wall outlet—never a power strip—keep a three-foot clearance on all sides, and ensure the device sits flat on a stable surface. Officials also urge residents to turn heaters off before leaving the home and to upgrade to models with automatic shutoff if theirs is outdated.
With another round of colder temperatures expected later this weekend, firefighters say a few minutes of preparation can prevent serious emergencies.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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