Each year in the United States, 240,000 home fires happen during the
winter.
Here are some tips to help keep you safe when the temperature drops:
- Have your furnace checked once a year by a qualified serviceman
- Keep dust and trash away from the furnace area
- Keep children away from space heaters
- Make sure space heaters shut off when they tip over
- Do not use space heaters around explosive or combustible materials, like those found in
a garage
- Keep curtains and blankets away from heaters.
- Have your chimneys inspected and cleaned by a professional yearly
- Have the flue of your wood burning stove checked once a year by a
professional
- Keep a fire extinguisher handy
- Do not burn building materials including plywood, treated lumber
and paneling. These release toxic gases when burned
- Keep the draft open wide when burning
- Install a spark shield around the chimney
- If you want to keep the door open to your wood-burning stove, always
use a fireplace screen or glass door
- Clean the ashes out of your wood-burning stove or fireplace regularly
Holiday Safety
Lights & Candles
- Throw away sets of lights that have frayed cords or loose sockets
- Don't overload circuits
- Don't run extension cords under carpets
- Never use electric lights on metal Christmas trees
Christmas Trees
- Don't buy a tree that is shedding needles
- Cut the tree trunk at an angle
- Place the tree in a deep stand that won’t tip
- Keep the tree away from fireplaces, exits and heat sources
- Check the water level daily
