North East Firefighters Urge Residents to Prepare for Heating Season

 October 2, 2026 — With cooler weather moving in across the North East, residents are starting to use furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, and portable heaters. Fire officials are urging families to take October to inspect home heating systems and update fire safety plans ahead of the approaching colder weather. 

The U.S. Fire Administration advises that heating equipment and chimneys be inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified professional. Residents should also store any flammable materials at least three feet away from fireplaces, wood stoves, furnaces, and space heaters. 

Portable space heaters must be positioned on a stable, flat surface and plugged directly into a wall outlet. Damaged cords must not be used, and space heaters should be switched off before leaving the room or going to bed. 

Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are also an important part of a home fire safety plan. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home. Smoke alarms should be tested monthly, and alarms that are 10 years old should be replaced.