Russians have been warned about the risk of house fires in winter

The winter period is traditionally accompanied by a sharp increase in the number of fires in the residential sector. According to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, more than 6,700 fires were eliminated during the January 2025 holiday weekend, which is almost twice the weekly average of other months. This was reported to Izvestia on January 12 by experts from the ROCKWOOL company, a manufacturer of solutions from non-combustible building materials, as well as the public movement "NO Fires!".

"The main causes of tragedies are careless handling of fire, overloading of power grids and violation of equipment operating rules. At the same time, household prevention remains at a low level. According to a study by the Public Opinion Foundation, a third of Russians do not take any measures to protect their homes from fires, and only 1% of respondents pay attention to the incombustibility of materials during repairs," experts warned.

Experts emphasize that security in an apartment building is made up of the residents' everyday decisions.

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Special attention should be paid in winter to the risk of overloading the power grid due to the simultaneous operation of heaters, garlands and other illumination. It is important not to connect several powerful devices to the same outlet, use only certified products and serviceable extension cords with protection. If there is a burning smell or the outlets are heating up, the power should be turned off immediately.

Candles and pyrotechnic products require extreme caution. They should be used on stable surfaces, away from textiles, dried flowers and combustible ornaments. Pyrotechnics can only be launched at designated sites, keeping a safe distance from residential facades. Stricter controls are being discussed at the legislative level, including banning the use of sparklers in buildings.

"It is critically important to keep the escape routes — corridors, stairwells and vestibules - in a free state. Cluttering them with strollers, bicycles, or furniture in case of smoke can make rescue impossible. It is also necessary to ensure that the doors to the stairwells are not blocked," the experts said.

A serious risk factor is the use of polymer—based combustible materials in the repair and insulation of apartments, especially balconies. When ignited, they not only keep the fire burning, but also emit toxic smoke, which is the main cause of poisoning. To reduce the risk, it is recommended to choose non-flammable solutions, for example, based on rock wool, which do not ignite and allow you to gain time for evacuation.

Even if all regulations are followed, the risk of fire cannot be excluded. Experts recommend that you have a serviceable fire extinguisher in your apartment, know the location of the automatic switch for power outages, and avoid blocking courtyard driveways for fire equipment. Children should be regularly reminded of safety rules. The responsibility of each tenant is a key condition for the winter season to pass without emergencies.

On December 30, Forbes magazine reported that experts do not recommend laying garlands through doors and windows, securing wires with metal brackets, hiding cables under carpets, or connecting old and new light garlands. Because overloading sockets and extension cords can lead to overheating and fire.

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