Fall Fire Safety Tips
Since summer is long gone and fall has arrived, it is important to make sure your house has been sufficiently protected from fire. Each season has its own unique fire safety precautions that must be observed to ensure you, your family and your possessions are as safe as possible. If you already have fire prevention systems installed in your home that is an excellent start. Many fire safety prevention methods are good to practice no matter what time of year it is. However, the following tips will help protect your home and family in the cooler days ahead. 1. Home Heating Homeowners use many devices to heat their homes. Whatever equipment you use, it is critical to thoroughly inspect the device and make sure it is functioning properly. When the heating device is not being used during the spring and summer months, many problems can occur that will keep it from operating safely or effectively. Making sure your heating device is working correctly is not only a safety issue, it will also help ensure the device provides the heat needed to keep your house warm during the fall and winter months. 2. Battery Changes Batteries in carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors and other fire monitoring devices need to be changed on a regular basis. Otherwise, they may not function when you need them most. Having a regular schedule for changing the batteries will help you remember to change them. One of the most popular times of the year to perform this task is when Daylight Savings Time (DST) starts in the spring and when it ends in the fall. Along with changing the batteries in your fire monitoring devices, this is a perfect time to check all your fire extinguishers to make sure they are functioning correctly. 3. Space Heaters Space heaters are potentially one of the most dangerous devices you can have in the home. Many fires are started every year because people do not observe proper space heater safety methods. Here are some things to keep in mind: - Keep at least three feet of empty space around all space heaters. It is especially important that the back air intake is not obstructed, or the space heater could overheat. - Combustible objects should not be placed near a space heater. - When you leave your house, always turn off the space heater. - Drapes and furniture should not be close to a space heater. - Space heaters should not have clothing placed on them so they will dry faster. - Buy a space heater that automatically turns off if it is knocked over or begins to overheat. 4. Fireplaces Fireplaces are warm, cozy and romantic. Following these safety tips will help ensure the fireside glow stays in the hearth. - Do not leave a fire unattended, even if you have fire prevention systems to protect you. - Never use gasoline to start a fire. - Have a fireplace screen in place to keep sparks inside the fireplace. - During the fall, have a chimney sweep thoroughly clean your chimney. - Have your chimney inspected for safety every year. - When operating a fireplace that uses natural gas, have the lines and connections inspected before the cold weather arrives.


















