WMFD reminds everyone about winter fire safety: Supplemental Heating Devices • Use and maintain supplemental heating devices in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. • Do not leave supplemental heating devices unattended or turned on while you are sleeping. • Provide all heating devices with at least three feet of clear space, away from beds, drapes, furniture and other combustible materials. • Examine gas lines for punctures or splits. Check the connectors and valves for leaks. Chimneys and Fireplaces • Clean and maintain chimneys, fireplaces, and furnaces on a regular basis. Most fires in wood stoves, fireplaces, and chimneys occur because of a lack of regular cleaning, leading to the buildup of creosote (the residue of unburned fuel). • Keep sparks and embers inside the fireplace with fire screens made of heat-tempered glass or sturdy metal. • Burn dry, well-seasoned hard wood because it is the most efficient fuel. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms • Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless and poisonous gas that is created when fuel burns incompletely • If you don’t have smoke alarms, install them. Maintain them according to the manufacturer’s instructions, including installing new batteries. • Install CO alarms in your home to provide you with an early warning of CO accumulation. Heating equipment that burns fuel is a potential source of carbon monoxide. • Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms weekly to be sure they are working properly. Change the batteries in all alarms at least once a year.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 12:51:30 +0000