Yaden agreed and noted the Tri-City area doesn't get the kind of sustained cold it takes to form thick ice layers. Yaden and his counterparts in neighboring fire departments reminded residents to watch their Christmas trees. Right now, they've been in the houses a couple of weeks. He encourages people to take their trees down right after Christmas. In the interim, he said, turn the lights off at night and when the tree is unattended.
Fireplaces are another source of concern in cold weather.
Despite the temptation to throw boxes and paper in the fire, Yaden said it's a bad idea. Wisps of burning fiber can rise in the flue and cause a chimney fire, he said. Homeowners should burn only seasoned wood in traditional fireplaces and keep extra kindling away from the hearth. On a final note, Yaden reminds people that their electrical systems are in overdrive. Replace the batteries in smoke detectors, never plug portable heaters into extension cords and no matter how cold it seems, do not use camp stoves, lanterns or other open-flame devices inside.