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As temperatures drop, fire officials across Socorro County are warning residents to take extra precautions to prevent winter-related fires and emergencies.
Heather Donelson, assistant chief for Northern Socorro County, said the most common causes of winter fires include overloaded electrical circuits, neglected chimneys and unsafe heating practices.
“Space heaters should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet, never an extension cord, and turned off when you leave the room,” she said.
Donelson also stressed the importance of working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fresh batteries, and regular testing.
Officials also caution against throwing out hot ashes.
“Store ashes in a metal container with a lid, at least 10 feet away from anything flammable,” Donelson said.
She added that live Christmas trees should be watered regularly, and holiday lights should be turned off at night to avoid overheating power strips.
Artificial trees are not without their own risk: “Artificial trees can actually melt and cause an extremely high-temperature fire,” said Donelson.
Magdalena Fire Chief Charles Blaylock urged residents to clean stovepipes and use double-wall pipes where they pass through the roof to prevent attic fires.
He also warned against dumping hot coals at the Magdalena transfer station, where past fires have occurred.
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“Use two metal cans, one for cooling and one for hot coals,” Blaylock said.
He also advised stacking firewood at least 30 feet from homes and avoiding overloaded wiring in older houses.
In the city, Fire Captain Daniel Pacheco emphasized the dangers of using ovens for heat, citing risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and explosions. He recommended residents to call the fire department if they are unsure about the safety of their heating setup.
Pacheco also warned that vacant homes and vacation properties have become a growing fire risk.
“We’ve had multiple structure fires where people break in and start fires inside,” he said. “Make sure those properties are extra protected and locked up. It makes our job easier and gives peace of mind to the public.”
Pacheco said residents should report suspicious activity.
“If you see something, please say something so we can make the community safer,” he said. “We’re preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.”
Donelson said families should decide on a safe meeting spot, such as a neighbor’s house or a landmark across the street and practice the plan regularly in case of a house fire.
“The first question we’re going to ask is, ‘Is anyone inside?’” Donelson said. “If everyone knows where to meet, we can focus on fighting the fire instead of searching for people.” She said that keeping exits clear and staying low to the ground when escaping can save lives.
Donelson also said that wildfire risks during winter are still prevalent due to dry conditions. Campfires should be in cleared areas with at least 30 feet of space around them.
Other safety tips from officials include keeping space heaters at least three feet from anything combustible, charging lithium-ion batteries outdoors when possible, never warming up your vehicle in a garage or enclosed area and having at least one fire extinguisher in the home and one in your garage.
“Sometimes one fire extinguisher makes a difference,” Donelson said. “We want everyone to have a safe holiday. We love seeing the public, but not because your house is on fire.”
