Fires may seem less likely during winter with snow covering the ground, but winter brings its own set fire concerns. Brandon Delong with the Washington Fire Department told us about some things you can do to protect yourself for winter. For Christmas trees, make sure you unplug the lights over night. He says whether or not the tree is fresh, the heat from the lights can cause a fire. He also says to make sure your outside Christmas lights aren’t plugged in to power strips. You should also make sure to check your carbon Monoxide detector to make sure the batteries are new and to clear snow from the exterior vents from your home. If the vent is blocked, carbon monoxide can build up in your home. He also wants to remind people to shovel snow around the fire hydrants. Giving a couple feet of room around the hydrants lets the fire department get access to them much quicker in case of an emergency.

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