Winter Fire Safety
Increased Risks of the Season
Preparing for Cold Weather Heating
 Before you fire up the stove or furnace, make sure they’re
safe to use
 Have a trained and licensed person inspect and service your oil
or gas furnace
 In you have a wood stove or fireplace, have your chimney
inspected, and have it cleaned if there’s creosote buildup
 Keep space heaters at least three feet away from combustibles
 Turn them off at night or when you leave the room
 If you have a fireplace, make sure you use a screen when it’s in
use
The Hazards of Holiday Entertaining
 The seasonal holidays usually mean more cooking and
entertaining
 The number 1 cause of house fires is cooking
 Open flames (candles, lamps) are a special concern
 Decorative lights can ignite combustible material, or can
overload circuits
Sensible Precautions
 Fire alarms: make sure they’re working
 Should have at least one on each level of the house
 If battery operated or battery backup, check the battery strength
 Carbon monoxide detectors: another good warning device to install
 Unvented kerosene or gas space heaters – use them sparingly, never
sleep in a room where one is in operation
 Fire extinguishers: place them in the most likely places for fires to start:
kitchen, laundry, garage
 Check them regularly to verify they are properly charged
 Escape ladders: have them available and positioned near upstairs
windows
 Family fire drill: practice one every few months, particularly if there are
young children