By By MICHELE GERLACH Publisher
As temperatures drop, many people take unsafe chances in an effort to keep warm, Brewton Fire Chief Lawrence Weaver said.
In light if all the damages area homes suffered during Hurricane Ivan, Weaver is especially concerned about house fires this winter.
He encourages homeowners to use care when using their fireplaces for the first time this year.
More than 3,500 Americans die each year in fires and approximately 25,000 are injured. Having a working fire alarm more than doubles on's chances of surviving a fire.
Heating is the second leading cause of residential fires and ties with arson as the second leading cause of fire deaths.
Weaver encourages all local residents to make sure they have a smoke alarm in each level of their home, and that they test the batteries regularly.
Also, he said, members of the fire department will assist local residents with carbon monoxide checks if they are concerned they have a problem.