Winter fire safety tips

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

Space heaters

When the weather turns cold, portable space heaters become a popular way to supplement heat in the home.

If you plan to purchase a space heater this winter, choose one that has been tested and certified by an independent laboratory and that will automatically shut off if the heater tips over.

Carbon Monoxide

With the increased use of gas fueled appliances in the cold winter months there is an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

To insure your home is safe from carbon monoxide, install CO detectors in your home, or, if you already have CO detectors in your home, replace any that are older than 10 years. In addition, you should not run or warm a car in your garage.

Other safety tips

Additional suggestions to prevent fires this winter.

• Avoid overloading electrical outlets in your home.
• Install photo electric smoke detectors in every bedroom and on every floor of your home.
• Have your furnace checked and serviced to ensure it works properly.
• Know two ways out of your home and establish a family or roommate meeting place in case of emergency, or read your residence hall's emergency plan.
• Inspect and dispose of non-working electrical holiday decorations.
• If you live on the second or third floor, consider purchasing an escape ladder.