With frigid temperatures expected to hover over the area through the weekend, area fire chiefs are reminding residents to stay both safe and warm.

In an effort to keep warm, many people are using space heaters as an additional source of heat. And, while those heaters may be helpful, they also require precautions in order to remain safe.

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Pedestrians cross Jefferson Ave. and Linden St. on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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A squirrel in a tree near Courthouse Square in Scranton on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Pedestrians on the University of Scranton campus on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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A pedestrian rounds the corner of Lackawanna Ave. and Washington Ave. in Scranton on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Pedestrians cross Jefferson Ave. and Linden St. on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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“A lot of times in this cold weather, people are using alternative heating sources improperly, which can lead to fires,” Scranton Fire Chief John Judge said. “Another problem is people trying to thaw their pipes with open flames. Putting any very hot items near combustibles can mean fire.”

Judge advises residents to keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything flammable, including people and pets.

“Don’t lean anything up against them. Make sure you’re using good power sources. Don’t buy the inexpensive power strips. Make sure you’re not overloading your circuits,” he said. “Read the manufacturer’s instructions for specific space heaters.”

Wilkes-Barre Fire Chief Jay Delaney agrees, adding his department never recommends the use of space heaters.

But, when they are used, he emphasizes that they need to be plugged directly into an outlet, rather than an extension cord.

Fire officials recently attributed the cause of a fire on Kidder Street in Wilkes-Barre in part to an extension cord run under carpeting, Delaney said.

“An extension cord is not part of a home’s electrical system,” he said.

Both chiefs warn residents to keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from any type of combustible materials and to never leave them unattended.

Being good neighbors

Judge also encourages people to be attentive to the very young and the very old, who might be at increased risk.

“Make sure the children are bundled up. If you have older neighbors or family members, make sure you are regularly checking on them, especially if they live alone,” he said. “Make sure they have the supplies they need.”

He also encourages people to offer to clear sidewalks for their elderly neighbors, pointing out that a fall could result in significant injury to someone whose health is already compromised.

Delaney reminds residents of the importance of clearing snow from fire hydrants in their neighborhoods. Although it’s easy to say “we won’t have a fire here,” it’s important for firefighters to access those hydrants if a fire does break out.

There are nearly 600 hydrants in the city of Wilkes-Barre, and although city employees are working to clear them, assistance from the public is greatly appreciated, Delaney said.

Both fire chiefs say having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is very important during winter storms and freezing temperatures.

“You might be getting snow piling up outside the house blocking up exhaust systems and backing up exhaust inside the house,” Judge said. “You want to make sure that your CO detectors are working, especially if you have any gas-fired appliances.”

Those using generators should also take special care to make sure the exhaust is not backing up into the house. Generators should be installed properly by a certified electrician.

Scranton offers carbon monoxide and smoke detectors free with installation to city residents who don’t have them.

The forecast

National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Greenblatt said residents should expect frigid temperatures through the weekend.

Friday’s high is expected to be just 14 degrees, with an overnight low of minus 9 degrees. The wind is expected to make it feel like about minus 13 degrees, according to the NWS.

A cold-weather advisory will remain in effect until 9 a.m. Sunday, he said.

Temperatures will begin to rise overnight Sunday into Monday, with lows finally making it to the 20s, Greenblatt said.

Historically, temperatures start to rise incrementally in mid-February, he said.

Temperatures rising above freezing, however, present other challenges and can lead to ice jams and flooding, Greenblatt said.

The good news? A snowstorm originally predicted for the weekend is expected to veer to our south and not affect the area, he said.