Somebody call 911! Shawty fire burning on the dance floor! Okay, well it’s actually a little more serious than a Sean Kingston song, but we have your attention now.

With the odd weather we’ve experienced in Boston in 2013 – three degrees one week and 60 degrees the following week – this is the time of year we fiddle with our thermostat and experience fluctuating energy costs. But even more frightening than our high bills is the rise in the frequency of damaging and devastating residential fires. December through February is the most dangerous months for electrical fires.  Home owners and residents forget that in the attempt to keep the cold out and their feet warm, you must also be aware of the dangers and stay informed of how to avoid hazards, as well as know how to react to a fire that could start at the most unexpected of times.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, during a typical year, home electrical problems account for 26,100 fires and $1 billion in property losses, claiming the lives of 280 Americans and injuring 1,000 more annually. Residential fires are typically caused by electrical system failures, but many more are caused by incorrectly installed wiring and overloaded circuits and extension cords; in fact, about half of all residential electrical fires involve electrical wiring.

In Boston, many of the apartments are older, so it is important that we make sure our equipment is up to date – if you don’t know how to do this, check in with your landlord, it is their job to make sure everything is up to standards and working. If you don’t think your equipment is up to date, let your landlord know! As we’ve heard a thousand times, “it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Every apartment, condo, or home should be equipped with at least one portable fire extinguisher; we realize that not everyone is as familiar with this technology as we are, so we’ve included some tips from our experience with advanced, automated building systems and knowledge of fire, security and energy management systems.

Having a working fire alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. Additionally, fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the primary element is safe escape. Every household should have a home fire escape plan and working smoke alarms.

To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:

• Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.
• Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
• Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

Larger facilities such as schools and university dormitories, public buildings, and hospital and medical facilities must also take precaution and heavily monitor each room and hallway throughout their buildings. Unlike a house or apartment, these facilities have hundreds of fire extinguishers which are part of automated systems that are monitored around the clock to make sure they are fully charged and operating properly. Recent technology has made it easier and more cohesive for facility and building managers to monitor the fire system, HVAC  controls, building wide communications, and life safety systems through an integration in the environmental control system that shares information system-wide.

Overall, it’s important to be familiar with your surroundings and remember what you learned in elementary school: stay calm and locate a safe escape. Every household should have a home fire escape plan and working smoke alarms. Fire extinguishers and alarms can save lives and property, but only if they are working correctly and properly managed. Since fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the number one priority for residents is to get out safely.

City of Boston’s Home Safety Checklist: http://www.cityofboston.gov/fire/safety/home_safety_checklist.asp.asp