LEDGEVIEW, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – In these freezing temperatures many people use their fireplaces to keep warm.
However, if people don’t clean their fireplaces, it could start a fire.
These days, firefighters aren’t just battling fires, they’re also battling frigid temperatures.
De Pere Fire Chief Alan Matzke, tells WLUK this time of year more fires happen when people are trying to stay warm.
“It’s the preventive maintenance, preventive maintenance on your furnace, preventive maintenance on your fire place, making sure that all the venting is appropriate”
Area fire departments are also asking people to make sure fire hydrants are cleared of snow.
“As the season progresses snow and ice buildup and it becomes harder and harder to keep that free from obstruction,” explained Matzke.
The fire departments say homeowners are responsible for clearing snow away from fire hydrants.
Matzke says when it comes time to fighting a fire in the winter, clear hydrants save time.
“We are always competing against time, time is our biggest enemy, so what we’re trying to do is get that fire hydrant connection made as soon as possible, so we can obviously get enough water to try to extinguish the fire”
He says with temperatures expected to drop Sunday, checking then double checking your heating appliances can keep firefighters from coming to your home.
