Winter Safety Tips come in handy as the San Antonio winter is official in full force. Statistics show that sales of electrical products increase during the month of December. This increase in electrical product purchases, combined with the advent of colder weather, increases the likelihood of electrical fires, electrocutions and injuries.
More home fires occur during the winter months than during any other part of the year. Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the United States. More than 65,000 home fires are attributed to heating equipment each year. These fire result in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries and millions of dollars in property damage.
Cooking fires are also common during the winter months due largely in part to the holiday season. Our handy infographic can help you Prevent Common Kitchen Hazards during the winter months and throughout the year.
Further, portable generators are commonly used in the winter as a result of storm-induced power outages. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 50% of all portable generator-related carbon monoxide deaths occur during the winter months (November – February). Also, winter storms can also lead to serious hazards such as downed power lines and flooding.
Following manufacturers’ instructions is the first step in avoiding electrical hazards and preventing deaths and injuries during the winter months and all year long. In this section, you will find safety tips and reminders to help you and your loved ones stay safe during the winter season.
Be sure to refer to the ESFi Wrapping Up the Holidays Safety Guide to make sure that you avoid the hazards that are all too common during this otherwise festive time of year.
More Winter Safety Tips from ESFi (Electrical Safety Foundation International)
Holiday Safety – Visit ESFI’s holiday safety resources to learn how to stay safe during the winter holidays.
Space Heater Safety – More than 65,000 home fires are attributed to space heaters. Learn how to use one safely.
Heating Pads and Electric Blankets Safety – Heating pads and electric blankets cause almost 500 fires each year.
Carbon Monoxide Safety – The winter months hold the highest risk for CO poisoning deaths. Every year over 200 people die from CO poisoning. Learn how to stay safe.
