Cold weather is driving up house fire risks as people turn to heaters and stoves to stay warm, according to CNY Central. Fire officials say misuse of space heaters and poorly maintained wood or pellet stoves remain top causes of winter fires.
Oswego County Fire Coordinator Shane Laws warned that heaters placed too close to flammable items often spark emergencies. He said firefighters also face tougher conditions in freezing weather but keep equipment ready to respond.
Laws urged residents to shovel walkways and clear snow from fire hydrants to help crews reach homes quickly. He said simple precautions can reduce fire risks and save lives during winter emergencies.
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