Winter Weather Safety Tips

Stay Warm with Home Heating Safety

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), half of all home heating fires occur during the winter months of December, January and February. Now is the time to make sure your home heating devices are safe, before the weather turns bitter cold.

Follow these USFA winter weather safety tips to maintain a fire-safe home this winter:
• Keep anything that can burn at least three (3) feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters or candles.
• Never use an oven to heat your home.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.

As always, be sure your home and vehicle safety and first aid kits are up to date.

U.S. Fire Administration safety professionals also remind us to test carbon monoxide detectors monthly.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide, also known as CO, is called the “Invisible Killer” because it is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. More than 150 people in the United States die every year from accidental non fire-related CO poisoning associated with consumer products, including generators. Other products include faulty, improperly-used or incorrectly-vented fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, stoves, water heaters and fireplaces. Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission