Savannah Fire Spreads Safety Ahead of NYE

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SAVANNAH, GA. – The Savannah Fire Department (SFD) responded to several fires on New Years Eve, and even though the holiday season has passed, they want to emphasize the importance of fire safety.

“We had four fires on New Year’s Eve, all with different causes, and during the holiday period, I believe there were around eight or nine,” said Cheryl Mason, the Public Information Officer for the SFD.

Mason explained that during the winter months, there tends to be an increase in home fires due to people trying to keep their homes warm. One common cause is the use of space heaters.

“People were looking at space heaters and using those kinds of things,” Mason said. “Although they’re great for the purpose they’re intended, if you don’t follow the manufacturer’s instructions, then you can cause fires.”

According to the SFD, it's crucial never to leave a space heater on the carpet or near any fabric. They should also never be plugged into an extension cord.

“You don’t want them running in areas that you are not in, and you want to keep them three feet away from any fabrics such as curtains, your bedding, even your own clothing,” Mason said. “You want to keep them on a stable surface so they can’t be knocked over by pets or children. If you buy current ones, they do have the automatic shut off when they’re tilted over.”

Mason noted that a common mistake she sees is people overloading their circuits. This can lead to electrical fires and is a serious hazard.

In addition to home and brush fires, vehicle fires are also a concern, according to Mason.

“Maintaining your vehicle is very important,” she said. “Letting it run low on oil and things like that, trying to stretch a paycheck or whatever. You know, you’re going to put groceries on the table or you’re going to get your oil change. But if you keep not maintaining your vehicle, then it’s subject to fires.”

The SFD also advises that if you have pets in your home during a house fire, you should let the firefighters know immediately.

“You can let us know that you know when we arrive that there’s a dog somewhere in the house,” Mason said. “If you can pinpoint that, then we’ll definitely go in search for them. And we have like pet oxygen masks on all of our apparatus. So, we can help them if they do have some smoke inhalation.”

Mason also recommends keeping important documents and items in a fire-safe box. However, she emphasized that it's never worth risking your life to retrieve them.

Fire safety is a year-round concern, and the SFD encourages everyone to stay informed and prepared. By following simple precautions, many fires can be prevented, and lives can be saved.