After 2015 saw Austin’s first two fire-related deaths in a decade, the Austin Fire Department is continuing to stress fire safety.

“Zero would be the preferable number, and we try to accomplish that through training and education,” firefighter Hans Gilbert said.

The number of fire-related deaths in the state also jumped from 41 in 2014 to 54 in 2015, according to preliminary numbers from the state fire marshal office.

In Austin, Jorge Abeyta died on Thanksgiving and Sherry Jo Fisher on Christmas, where the cause was most likely smoke inhalation.

They were Austin’s first fire-related deaths since one in 2004.

Gilbert said the Austin Fire Department does a good job of getting out in the community to talk about fire safety.

“We have open houses, talk fire safety in the schools,” Gilbert said. “We have a smoke alarm program in the city.”

The smoke alarm program is a grant for residents of Austin, Austin Township and Lansing Township to get free smoke alarms and batteries, but they must be installed by the fire department to make sure they get put in the right places correctly and are being used, Gilbert said.

The leading causes of fires during winter mostly start in the kitchen with holiday baking. The key to preventing fires is staying in the kitchen when the stove or oven is on. If you leave the kitchen, turn the heat off, Gilbert said.

“It’s also helpful to have a timer when baking, just to remind yourself that there is something cooking,” Gilbert said. “Being vigilant when we’re just cooking, period.”

Candles can also be a problem during winter.

Make sure candles are put out when you leave a room and are placed on a flat, stable surface away from anything flammable.

“Flameless candles are the way to go. It has a flame-like look to it, which is what most people want,” Gilbert said. “Candle warmers are also a good idea and readily available. It’s the smell of the candle but without the hazard.”

The last leading cause of winter fires are space heaters. The main thing to remember with these is that they are not made to heat a house and they shouldn’t be left running when unattended, Gilbert said.

Gilbert stressed the importance of having working smoke detectors in the house.

“Check the batteries, test the smoke alarms every month and replace the batteries every year,” Gilbert said.

He added carbon monoxide alarms are also important to keep updated, as the number of CO incidents tend to increase this time of year because furnaces are being used more.

Fact sheets about different kinds of fire safety are available from the state fire marshal office website and the National Fire Protection Association website. They are also available in other languages.

Find safety information at:

dps.mn.gov/divisions/sfm/public-education/Pages/home-fire-safety.aspx

www.nfpa.org/safety-information/safety-tip-sheets