ST. GEORGE — According to statistics from the National Fire Prevention Association, 1 in every 7 home fires and 1 in every 5 home fire deaths involve heating equipment. Half of the heating fires in the nation occur in the winter months of December, January and February.
In order to help people stay fire smart, Cedar City’s community relations issued a press release that includes tips provided by the association and Cedar City Fire Department.
Fireplace safety
- Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney or wood stove, especially the flue and vent piping every year.
- If you store your firewood inside, make sure it is at least 3-5 feet from the heat source. Keep anything that can burn away from the heat source as well.
- Do not burn paper or cardboard in your fireplace or wood stove.
- Remove ashes and store them outside in a metal container with a lid at least 10 feet from your home and any nearby buildings. Dispose of the ashes once they have completely cooled.
Portable heater safety
- If you are using portable heaters, make sure they are the type that will shut off automatically if they tip over.
- Plug only one heat-producing appliance into an electrical outlet at a time and never use an extension cord or power strip.
- Keep portable heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn and turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm safety
- Make sure you have working smoke/carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
- Have one in each bedroom, in a central location outside the sleeping areas and one on each level.
- Test detectors monthly and change the batteries annually.
- Clean each one annually using a vacuum or a can of compressed air.
Kitchen safety
When preparing food, do not leave the stove/cooktop unattended or leave the home.
Burning candles should not be left unattended. Extinguish them if you leave the house or go to sleep.
Christmas tree safety
- If you choose a live Christmas tree, select one that is fresh and has not dried out.
- Do not leave the tree in the home too long after Christmas.
- Dispose of the tree in furnished recycling containers.
- Check and replace strings of lights with worn, frayed, broken cords or loose bulb connections.
- Read instructions for the proper number of strands to connect.
- Use lights that are listed by a testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
As a reminder, having a home escape plan and practicing that plan twice a year can greatly benefit you and your household in the event of a home fire. Make sure everyone knows how to escape and have a meeting place outside that everyoneis aware of. Don’t forget to let your visitors know of this plan!
Cedar City Fire Department also wished everyone a safe and happy holiday season in the new release. For educational videos and more information on holiday safety, visit this website.