Turning Down the Heat on Winter Fire Risks

• February 17, 2026
• Written by: Ed Kauffman
• Safety

Imagine a quiet winter morning in an office building, where a hurried attempt to thaw frozen pipes with a space heater spirals into chaos. As the heater is left unattended, the surrounding paper stacks begin to smolder, triggering the fire alarm. Panic ensues as employees scramble to exit through snow-covered escape routes. This vivid scenario underscores the importance of fire safety in cold weather.

As cold weather moves in, fire risks, like the scenario posed above, can quickly become reality, especially when we use portable heaters and temporary shelters. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that nearly half of U.S. home heating fires happen from December to February. Space heaters are the primary cause of these fires, which result in more deaths and injuries than fires caused by other heating equipment. These home risks also appear in workplaces when makeshift heating is used incorrectly.

Key Precautions for Cold-Weather Fire Safety

• Only use OSHA and ANSI-compliant heating devices in the workplace.
• Always plug heating devices directly into an outlet and avoid using extension cords or powerstrips.
• Keep heating devices at least 3 feet away from combustibles such as paper, clothing, and packaging.
• Inspect heaters daily for damaged cords, leaks, and proper grounding.
• Do not keep portable heating devices on for extended periods when possible, and never leave them on when unattended.
• Keep combustible items away from heat sources.  
• Clean regularly to eliminate fuel for fires. Office fires make up 32% of workplace fires, often caused by poorly maintained heating and cooking appliances.
• Cold stress impairs judgment. Follow OSHA’s winter strategies: wear layers, take breaks, and ventilate. Low alertness causes ignition mishaps.
• Keep exits clear of snow and ensure accessible escape routes.
• Install smoke alarms and keep portable fire extinguishers on site.
• Conduct regular winter fire drills for heating-related emergencies.

Cold-weather fire risks can escalate quickly, but a proactive approach—combining safe equipment use, housekeeping, and preparedness—helps prevent small missteps from becoming major emergencies. By integrating NFPA’s winter fire patterns and OSHA’s cold-weather guidelines, employers can significantly reduce fire hazards—protecting their teams and facilities during the harshest months.

RETTEW’s Health, Safety and Environment group can support your organization with customized fire safety training, delivered on site or at our hands-on training center in Mechanicsburg, to help protect your people, property, and operations all season long. Our team of safety professionals has expertise in identifying and mitigating work location and job site dangers for a diverse client base, including private industry, contractors, municipalities, and other consulting firms. Learn about our qualifications and contact us to discuss our comprehensive safety services.

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All classes are held at the RETTEW Training Center in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, unless otherwise noted.

March 16-18: HAZWOPER Technician, 24-Hour

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To register, please contact Ed Kauffman at 717-516-7487 or via email at ed.kauffman@rettew.com, click on the event link above, or enroll through the course listing on our website calendar.