It’s very easy to unintentionally sideline safety with the hustle and bustle of Christmas decorating and shopping! The primary cause of fires now through February is heating. In an effort to keep all of us safe we’ve posted some safety tips below. Let’s keep each other safe this winter!
Wood Stoves & Fireplaces
Make sure there is sufficient distance between your wood stove and any combustible surface, 3 inches. You also want to make sure your wood stove has proper floor support.
You should have your chimney inspected yearly. This is extremely important if you have not used your fire place in a while.
Make sure you have a glass or metal fireplace screen in front of the fireplace opening to protect against stray embers / sparks.
To reduce creosote buildup burn your wood stove hot twice a day for at least 15-30 minutes.
DO NOT over build a fire by using excessive amounts of paper / other materials; it is possible for creosote to ignite in the chimney.
Charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide when it is burned so do not use this in your fireplace / wood stove.
Never close your damper with hot ashes, this can reignite the fire and force monoxide into your home.
All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry
Furnace
Make sure the emergency shut off and all controls on your furnace are intact and working.
Never try to repair your furnace by yourself unless you are qualified.
Look at the walls around your furnace, if the wall is hot or discolored you may need additional pipe insulation or clearance.
Check the piping / flue pipe. If you see soot around seams you may have a leak.
Additional Safety
If you use electric heaters in your home be sure you do not overload the circuit. If you are using an extension cord make sure it is as big as the cord on the heater or bigger. Lastly, make sure the extension cord can carry the amp load.
If there is a fire hydrant by your home you can help the fire department out by keeping it clear of snow in case there is an emergency.
More importantly, make sure every level of your house has a smoke alarm. You should make sure they are working and clean them out at least once a month. This is your best defense in the event of a fire.
Lastly, have and practice a home safety plan in the event of a fire.