Fire Prevention Week – Safety tips
Time changes mean battery changes in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and test them to ensure they are working. It is also a good time to verify that all fire extinguishers are fully charged and in working order and that family members know how to use them.
Have your furnace cleaned, inspected and serviced by a certified HVAC (heating, venting and air conditioning) contractor prior to the first real cold snap.
Have your fireplace chimney inspected and cleaned prior to using it and use fireplace screens to keep fire debris inside the fireplace.
For natural gas fireplaces, get all connections and lines inspected before use.
Make sure that any space heaters are surrounded by at least three feet of empty space. Never place clothing or any other objects on a space heater to dry. Do not place space heaters near furniture or drapery. Turn space heaters off when you leave the house or go to bed. Avoid storing any combustible items near heaters.
Clear your roof and gutters of unnecessary buildup of debris, such as pine needles and leaves.
Learn the outdoor burning regulations in your area, and do not engage in illegal burning of leaves and other outdoor debris.
There is nothing more important than the safety of your family, practice fire safety and prevention. Because fires can start at any time without warning, it is very important that the members of your household know how to react in the event of a fire. If a fire happens in your home, “Make Sure There Are Two Ways Out”, from every room in the house.
Fire Safety Tips for Halloween
Do not use candles in Halloween jock-o-lanterns, flashlights are much safer.
