1/4/18 – 5:03 A.M.

You might be looking for extra heating sources during this cold snap, but area firefighters say to be careful when you do. Fostoria Fire Chief Brian Herbert tells the Review-Times people need to take precautions with space heaters. Herbert says to make sure you keep space heaters away from anything flammable. He says you shouldn’t use a space heater with an extension cord. Instead, plug it directly into an outlet.

Make sure your fireplace is properly vented and have it checked by a certified technician every year.

When fires do break out, they’re hard to combat in the frigid temperatures. Herbert says firefighters try and take extra gloves and boots to calls so they can swap out wet gear. The freezing temperatures also cause problems with equipment. Fire hydrants and even hoses can freeze.

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