Fire Chief Stresses Holiday Fire Safety

In the past couple of days, local fire departments have dealt with multiple fires in Muskingum County, the most recent one being Thursday’s fatal fire .

Now Zanesville’s fire chief is urging residents to take special precautions to prevent fires during the holiday season and winter months. Chief Dave Lacy says to examine all your christmas lights as well as extension cords thoroughly .

"You need to make sure that any lights that say you’d put on a tree or put on and decorate your house are in good working order. When you get those out to put them up and check them. If you find any frayed wires or anything like that, it’s a good idea to throw them away," says Lacy.

Lacy says not to refill kerosene lanterns indoors and to not to plug electric heaters into extension cords.

"Definitely know what your doing with a space heater. No combustibles within three feet of it on any of the sides," says Lacy.

Lacy says not to bunch up extensions cords and tie them up. Extension cords and space heaters are the leading cause of holiday fires. He also wants to remind residents to make sure they have a working smoke alarm in their home .