Johnston County Fire Marshal Offers Holiday, Winter Safety Reminders

JOHNSTON COUNTY — As the holiday season gets underway and temperatures begin to drop, Johnston County Fire Marshal Travis Johnson is urging residents to take simple precautions to prevent fires in their homes.

Johnson said holiday decorations and supplemental heating equipment pose increased risks this time of year, but many incidents can be avoided with basic safety steps.

Before hanging holiday lights, Johnson recommends inspecting each strand for frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections and replacing any damaged sets. He also advises plugging only one high-wattage appliance or light set into each outlet to avoid overloading circuits. Homeowners should turn off all decorative lights before going to bed or leaving the house, using a timer if necessary.

Decorations should be kept at least three feet away from heat sources, including fireplaces, heaters and radiators. Johnson also encourages using flame-retardant décor whenever possible.

“Holiday lights and décor should bring cheer — not danger. Make sure extension cords are rated for indoor or outdoor use as intended, and keep real trees well-watered so they don’t dry out and become fuel for a fast-moving fire,” Johnson said.

Heating equipment—particularly space heaters—remains one of the leading causes of winter fires. Johnson said space heaters should be placed at least three feet from anything flammable and turned off when leaving a room or going to sleep. Residents using fireplaces should have chimneys cleaned and inspected before the season begins and use a sturdy fireplace screen to contain sparks.

Pet owners using heat lamps should make sure they are secure and kept well away from combustibles.

“We urge everyone to use heaters responsibly and test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they’re ready when you need them most,” Fire Marshal Johnson stated.