A drop in the mercury

Well, winter is certainly having a time in letting us know it’s here at the start of 2018, as temperatures and wind chills are expected to keep things frozen at least through the coming week.

Whether you rang in the New Year by going out and partying, or just stayed home under a blanket with some games — video, card or board — the consistent drop in the temperatures kept people inside as the clock struck 12 a.m.

But though the cold is certainly an incentive to turn up the thermostat of plug in some space heaters, keep in mind the danger that can come from fire as well. Space heaters are the most common culprit when one thinks of fire in the home during the winter, but it is far from the only one.

Space heaters should be turned off when not in use, and avoid plugging more than one heat-producing appliance into an outlet at a time to keep from overloading outlets and sparking electrical fires.

Leaving food coking on a stove can easily lead to a fire, as can putting combustibles too close to heating sources. Keep in mind anything that can burn should be kept at least three feet away from heat sources.

Keep in mind, if you still have your Christmas tree and/or decorations up, these can quickly become fire hazards as well. And though Santa has already made his rounds, making sure your chimney is inspected annually by a professional can prevent the buildup of combustible material and explosive chimney fires.

Though this extreme drop in the mercury is forcing us to take what measures we can to keep warm, remember to stay safe and secure in the knowledge that, before we know it, those temps will be on the rise once again.