Prevent Home Fires During Cold Weather

With cold temperatures there is often a rise in the number of home fires. Follow these tips to help prevent a fire in your home:

• Have furnaces, chimneys, fireplaces, wood and coal stoves inspected and cleaned before another winter of use.
  
• If using a space heater, look for a model that shuts off automatically if the heater falls over. Place the heater on a level, hard and nonflammable surface in the home.
  
• Keep all potential sources of fuel like paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves, or fireplaces.
  
• Portable heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended. Turn off space heaters and make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home.
  
• Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
  
• Cut down on heating costs. Insulate the home by installing storm windows or covering the inside of windows with plastic to keep cold air out.
  
• Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
  
• Keep fire in your fireplace by using a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
  
• Test batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  
• Develop a fire escape plan and practice it with everyone who lives in the home.