By By Lisa Tindell – news writer
With two devastating fires in the span of only one week, Brewton Fire Chief Lawrence Weaver is concerned about fire safety.
Weaver said one of the first lines of defense in keeping families safe is to check smoke alarms regularly.
The Brewton Fire Department has always offered services to help Brewton residents in the area of smoke alarms in the home.
Other than having smoke alarms in place throughout the home, Weaver encouraged residents to remember to keep combustible items away from heat sources.
Other points made by Weaver concerned fire hydrants near the home. In some cases, debris may surround a hydrant making it difficult for firemen to gain access to in the event of an emergency.
It is estimated that more than 3,500 Americans die each year in fires and approximately 25,000 people are injured, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. It is also estimated that 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in the home and electrical fires are a special concern during the winter months.
Weaver offered a list of winter fire safety tips that could save lives. The list, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, holds some common sense tips as well as some that residents might not automatically think about when using a heat source in their home.