JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department offered safety tips to prepare for the drastic weather shift expected over the weekend.
Saturday’s temperatures are into the 80s but colder weather will arrive Sunday night, bringing wind chills potentially in the 30s by Monday night.
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Strong northwesterly winds combined with a dry air mass will create elevated fire danger conditions on Monday and Tuesday. Light freezes are forecast inland for Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, with widespread frost potential on Wednesday morning.
JFRD offered safety tips to residents:
Use Caution with Space Heaters:
- Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn
- Plug heaters directly into outlets. Never use extension cords or power strips
- Turn off heaters when leaving a room or going to sleep
- Never leave space heaters unattended
Practice Fireplace Safety:
- Have chimneys inspected and cleaned annually
- Don’t overload fireplaces with wood
- Use screens or glass doors to prevent sparks from escaping
- Never leave fires unattended
- Ensure fires are fully extinguished before going to bed
Critical Safety Reminders:
- Never use ovens or appliances not designed as heating devices to warm your home
- Ensure working smoke alarms are installed on every floor and outside each bedroom
- Install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home
- Never use outdoor appliances like grills or generators indoors
- Create and practice a fire escape plan with all household members
JFRD is also taking measures to protect its equipment during the cold weather:
- Protecting all apparatus containing water to prevent freezing
- Draining water tanks from spare apparatus stored outside
- Moving tankers inside station bays whenever possible
- Repositioning vehicles to prioritize indoor storage for water-containing apparatus
“Our firefighters are taking the necessary steps to ensure our equipment remains operational throughout this cold snap,” Fire Chief Percy Golden II said. “We’re also asking the Jacksonville community to take this weather transition seriously. The combination of elevated fire danger and freezing temperatures requires residents to be extra vigilant about home heating safety.”