Winter Fire Safety: Why Cold-Weather Claims Spike—and How to Protect Your Rights

Home-heating equipment, overloaded circuits, neglected chimneys, and improvised holiday lighting make December through March the most dangerous stretch for residential and light-commercial fires in Michigan. In this WXYZ-TV segment, partner Stuart A. Sklar explains the space-heater “three-foot rule,” Detroit’s free smoke-alarm program, and pre-winter electrical inspections every property owner should schedule.

Building on Stuart’s advice, this guide details why winter fires spike, how to reduce risk, and—should the worst occur—how Fabian, Sklar, King & Liss, P.C. can safeguard both your safety and your property-insurance rights.

Why Winter Fires Surge

Portable heaters emerge from storage and often plug into power strips that exceed safe amperage. Holiday cooking increases stovetop flare-ups (USFA data), dry indoor air accelerates static discharge, and creosote-coated chimneys can ignite at just 450 °F (NFPA research).

Prevention Checklist

Space-heater discipline: Place units on non-combustible flooring, maintain a three-foot clearance, plug directly into a wall outlet, and buy models with tip-over shut-offs.
Interconnected alarms: Every level—including basements and attic rooms—needs linked smoke/CO detectors tested monthly.
Chimney & dryer-vent maintenance: Sweep chimneys annually and inspect dryer vents quarterly.
Electrical tune-up: A licensed electrician should tighten breaker-panel lugs and perform a thermal-imaging scan before each cold snap (per OSHA LOTO guidelines).

Commercial & Multi-Family Best Practices

Restaurants must service hoods and extinguishing systems to NFPA 96. Offices with dense server racks benefit from clean-agent suppression, while warehouse owners should keep riser rooms above 40 °F and document quarterly sprinkler tests.

When a Winter Fire Happens

Evacuate, call 911, photograph damage, and preserve faulty heaters or breakers for potential subrogation. Then call us before making a detailed recorded statement. Michigan law requires prompt notice—not unrepresented notice. Our fire-insurance claim lawyers secure certified policy copies, dispatch origin-and-cause engineers, and build proof-of-loss packets that mirror insurer estimating software yet reflect real-world Michigan costs.

“Disasters don’t take holidays. We’re here—ready to protect families and businesses the moment the unthinkable happens.”
— Jason J. Liss, Managing Partner

Fire prevention costs little compared to a total-loss claim. Share these tips with employees, tenants, or family. If disaster strikes—or if you want to plug coverage gaps—call 248-553-2000 or schedule a confidential consultation. A brief conversation now can spare months of claim frustration later.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Consult an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction for specific guidance.