Cold temperatures prompting residents to crank up their furnaces and plug in auxiliary heating systems meant an increased number of fire-service requests of the American Red Cross.
In January, the Red Cross helped 57 families - a total of 176 people - displaced during 50 incidents throughout Northeast Pennsylvania, most of them residential fires, the Red Cross said. In December, the local Red Cross responded to 28 incidents and assisted 38 families.
Along with providing displaced families with shelter, food, clothing, medication and other necessities, the Red Cross provides food and drinks for first responders at emergency scenes.
Auxiliary heating devices and additional use of regular heating sources are often the culprit for winter fires, a trend the Red Cross anticipates and prepares for every year.
"During the winter months, people tend to stay home more, they have more fires in the fireplace and turn on substitute heating devices," said Carmon Flynn, executive director of the Red Cross in Lackawanna County.
Scranton Fire Chief Tom Davis said his department also anticipates a higher volume of residential fire calls in the winter, and has responded to 10 structure fires and three fires caused by malfunctioning fuel tanks or boilers since the beginning of the year. In the winter and beyond, the department always has extra firefighters on call in case of a large fire.
"We want to be prepared for that as soon as our companies are out," he said.
Chief Davis said residents should keep auxiliary heaters in the center of any room, away from drapes or decorations, and be sure the home's wiring can withstand the addition of a plug-in heating device.
Check batteries on smoke alarms and install carbon monoxide alarms, especially when running any kerosene- or propane-fueled heaters; clean out fireplaces and monitor wood-burning stoves closely, he said. Have an escape route planned in case of a fire and establish a meeting point for family members outside the home, he said.
To further prepare people in how to handle a disaster, the Red Cross is offering emergency preparedness classes to high-rise residents, senior living centers and other organizations looking to be better prepared in the face of emergencies.
The workshop is about 45 minutes long and teaches participants how to put together a disaster plan, an emergency kit and more.
Any group interested in booking a disaster preparedness class may contact Mr. Flynn at 207-0111.
Contact the writer: ksullivan@timesshamrock.com, @ksullivanTT on Twitter