How not to become a fire victim during the heating season

In Crimea, the number of registered fires decreased, but the number of deaths from the fire increased. The difficult situation is analyzed by the Deputy Head of the Main Directorate - Head of the Supervision and Preventive Work Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia in the Republic of Crimea, Colonel of the Internal Service Igor Skurtul.

First of all, he notes the later start of a special fire regime due to wet weather.

“The fire hazard class was lower than usual,” says Igor Vladimirovich. A special fire protection regime was introduced only on June 24. In this regard, we have a certain decrease in the number of fires in open areas this year: there were 2,300 of them. I emphasize that there is a certain increase in death and in the victims. The increase in deaths is 20%. It's more about housing. In general, the year was with resonant fires including. There was a threat to settlements, however, to a lesser extent than in 2025.

The causes of fires remain unchanged: the human factor and careless handling of fire.

“To a greater extent, if we are talking about the death of people, it is smoking, most often under the influence of alcohol,” said Igor Skurtul. In total, about 80% of all deaths. As for the causes in everyday life, careless handling of fire is 75-80%. Next comes the electrician - about 15% of all fires. This is either improper maintenance of electrical equipment or improper operation. Then there is stove heating - about 3-4% annually.

Fire deaths usually occur under similar circumstances.

“Regarding the death in the fires: about 70 people died in our country,” Igor Vladimirovich quotes disappointing figures. Of these, 75% were killed by smoking, most often intoxicated. 15% died due to improper use of their electrical equipment or heating devices.

The annual statistics of fires at Crimean facilities show that most often fires get out of control in private residential buildings.

Every year there are about 100 fires at the facilities, says Igor Skurtul. Our private homes are on fire. These are often one-storey houses, more dilapidated buildings. According to the risks in the heating season: about 400 settlements in the Crimea are not gasified. The greatest risk in terms of the use of furnace equipment, the use of electric heating devices is there. Therefore, from October 1, prevention groups switch to this category of housing.

To avoid tragedy, in preparation for the heating season in houses with oven heating, you need to follow a clear algorithm.

- First of all, before the heating season, you need to visually check your oven, - Igor Vladimirovich recommends. In case it has cracks, malfunctions - pay attention and invite a specialist. It must work and assess these shortcomings. After that, before the start of operation, it is necessary to clean the chimney, in general, it is cleaned before the heating season and during the furnace furnace furnace at least once every three months. When operating the furnace, there are also certain rules. It is forbidden to use the oven without supervision, two hours before bedtime you need to stop operation and generally do not sink on a permanent basis throughout the day. It is enough to drown two or three times during the day to prevent overheating. You can not leave the oven for the supervision of children, store combustible materials in it. Near the furnace itself there should be an inflammable sheet of non-combustible material.

The use of electrical appliances and gas equipment for heating premises should also take place according to the rules.

- The existing electrical equipment should be checked for damage, - reminds Igor Skurtul. If you are just going to buy it, you need to check the capacity of this equipment. According to technical characteristics, 100 watts will be enough per 1 square meter. It is important to find out whether your network can operate this device. Everything must be checked by specialists. As for the rules for operation, it is forbidden to dry combustible material near the device, you need to purchase only certified appliances. With gas heating, everything is simpler: annually gas service specialists are invited to carry out preventive work. If you see defects, if there is a smell - do not turn on electrical appliances and call the numbers: 104, 112.