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More than 10,000 volunteer firefighters help prevent fires this winter

They give out fire safety booklets, explain how to use electrical and gas heaters properly

MOSCOW, February 18 (Itar-Tass) —— More than 10,000 volunteer firefighters are helping prevent fire in residential areas this winter.

Abnormally cold weather in the biggest part of Russia in early February led to an increase in the number of fires and deaths. As a rule, fires occur at home during cold weather when people use electrical heaters and mishandle them, the press service of the All-Russia Volunteer Fire Society said, on Saturday, February 18.

“In addition to fire inspectors, volunteers are helping prevent fire in regions. More than 10,000 volunteer firefighters visit homes for preventive purposes. They give out fire safety booklets, explain how to use electrical and gas heaters properly,” the press service said.

According to the Emergencies Ministry, 56 regions were hit by severe frosts in late January and early February. At the beginning this month, the number of household fires increased by 30 percent because of cold weather.

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