Canterbury, NH — 27th December — Fire officials estimate a periodic uptick in structure fires as winter temperatures decline and people depend more on home heating. Heating systems, such as furnaces, space heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces, are responsible for about half of all building fires, according to Deputy Fire Marshal Anthony Booth. The risk of malfunction, overheating, and igniting of adjacent materials increases with increased use during the colder months.

Many winter fires can be avoided with routine maintenance and proper heating system use, according to Canterbury NH Fire & Rescue officials. Residents are urged to use certified devices in accordance with manufacturer specifications, maintain heaters free of combustibles, and have chimneys and vents cleaned. In order to decrease winter fire occurrences and enhance community safety throughout the heating season, fire departments keep up their outreach initiatives.