TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Officials are warning about fire dangers amid a recent cold snap and uptick in house fires.
As the temperatures drop, firefighters across the Tampa Bay area are investigating several weekend house fires including one of that claimed a life.
In Polk City, the state fire marshal is investigating a deadly house fire. Fires also broke out at homes in Clearwater, Safety Harbor, Tampa and Valrico.
Fire officials in Citrus County warned about chimney safety after a chimney fire over the weekend.
“Electrical fires, accidental fires, kitchen fires, and now moving into the holiday season we’re going to start seeing unattended cooking which ends up being the number one reason why fire departments get called out to homes,” said Vivian Shedd with Tampa Fire Rescue.
In the winter months, one in every seven fires is caused by heating equipment, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the most common reason is space heaters.
“Space heaters need to be plugged directly into the outlet because they heat up really quickly and that includes the cord,” said Shedd. “You do not want to have blankets, or candles or anything that’s flammable near your space heater because that’s a fire hazard.”
Shedd is urging people to think about safety, as more house fires happen in the colder months than any other season.
“While we’re together we want to have fun and have a good time, but safety should be above all else,” said Shedd.
Shedd also urged people to check smoke detectors in their homes.