Springfield, IL – Winter officially arrived in Illinois today, and fire officials are urging residents to take extra precautions as colder temperatures increase the risk of home fires across the state.
According to the Illinois State Fire Marshal, the winter season began this morning at 9:03 a.m., marking the start of the most dangerous time of year for home heating fires. Officials warn that even though Illinois has already experienced bouts of extreme cold, the highest fire risk often comes as residents rely more heavily on space heaters, fireplaces, and other heating equipment.
Fire safety data shows that half of all home heating fires occur during December, January, and February, with heating equipment involved in one out of every seven home fires and one out of every five home fire deaths nationwide. Officials say many of these incidents are preventable with basic safety steps.
Residents are reminded to keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, and space heaters. The Fire Marshal’s office also advises plugging only one heat-producing appliance into an outlet at a time to avoid overloading electrical systems.
Portable generators should always be operated outside and far from windows, while carbon monoxide alarms should be installed and tested at least once a month. Chimneys and vents should be cleaned and inspected by qualified professionals every year.
Fire officials also warn against improper ash disposal, recommending cooled ashes be stored in a tightly covered metal container and kept at least 10 feet away from homes and nearby structures.
As winter settles in statewide, officials urge Illinois residents to stay warm—but fire smart.
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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