Fire Safety Tips for the Winter Season |
By Vista Fire Department | |
January 2, 2019 | |
Home fires occur more in winter than in any other season. As you stay cozy and warm this winter season, be fire smart! Following are a few tips to help keep you and your family safe during this deep freeze: -- Half of all home heating fires occur in the months of December, January and February. -- Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away as possible from your home. -- Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month. -- Heating equipment is involved in 1 in every 7 reported home fires and 1 in every 5 home fire deaths. -- Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year. Store cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container, and keep it outside at least 10 feet from your home and any nearby buildings. -- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, or space heaters. -- Plug only 1 heat-producing appliance (such as a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time. For more information on how to prevent winter fires, visit www.usfa.fema.gov/winter and www.nfpa.org/winter |
|