After unseasonably warm temperatures during the month of December, this week’s freeze has prompted St. Tammany Fire District 1 officials to warn residents that home heating remains one of the leading causes of fire.

“We’re just not used to this type of weather,” said Chief of Fire Prevention Neil Ricca. “When we get these severe drops in temperature, people tend to get creative about heating their home, and that causes problems.”

In recent years, FD1 has responded to many structure fires that resulted from residents taking unnecessary risks. Last year, a mobile home resident opened the door to his electric oven in an attempt to heat the dwelling. He and his family barely escaped with their lives, Ricca said. In another incident, several years ago another man attempted to stoke the fire in his wood-burning stove with oil, and lost his life in the resulting blaze.

To help homeowners become more proactive in safeguarding their homes, FD1 is offering a free home inspection service to residents in the Slidell area. The department has offered the program since 2004, but recent statistics released by the National Fire Protection Association prompted Ricca to step up his department’s efforts in educating the public.

“We want people to increase the level of safety in their home and at the same time to decrease the risk of fire or other home accidents,” said Ricca.

According to a 2006 NFPA report, a home catches on fire in the U.S. every 83 seconds. In addition, every 29 minutes someone is injured in a house fire, while every two hours and 23 minutes someone dies in a house fire.

Even more startling is that these fires, injuries and deaths could have been prevented through the practice of home fire safety.

When a home inspection is requested by a resident, it is then assigned to trained FD1 personnel located within the coverage area of that residence. During the inspection, fire department members will accompany the resident on an exterior and interior walk throughout the residence to point out any unsafe conditions.

Some of the safety topics covered during home inspections will include smoke detectors, child safety, fire extinguishers, electrical safety, E.D.I.T.H (Exit Drills in the Home), kitchen and cooking safety, flammable liquid storage, heating equipment safety, as well as trip and fall hazards. Upon completion of the inspection, personnel will make safety recommendations based on observations made during the inspection.

There are no fees involved, and no penalties will be imposed, as Ricca points out that the sole purpose of the program is to provide a safer environment for every resident within the community. For those who would like to conduct their own home safety inspection, a checklist is available that addresses key risk areas.

To request an appointment for a home safety inspection, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 646-4387.