The Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority offers several tips with the change of weather as people turn on furnaces, use fireplaces and wood stoves and endure power outages.
Heating safety:
1. Have furnaces, wood burning stoves, and fire places inspected by a professional to ensure they are clean and in good working order.
2. Move all flammable materials at least three feet away from baseboard or electric heaters. This includes clothing, bedding material, and drapes.
3. Place ashes from a fireplace or stove in a metal container with a tightly sealed lid. Outdoors, away from flammable materials.
4. Always have working smoke alarms. Have one in each bedroom, in the hallway outside the bedrooms, near the kitchen, and at least one on each floor of your home.
Power outages:
1. Beware of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO). This deadly gas is a by-product of incomplete burning and is produced by common household devices such as your barbecue and gas powered electric generator. Never bring these CO producing items into your home.
2. Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home for year around safety.
3. Use candles sparingly. Never leave burning candles unattended. When you go out – blow it out.
4. Place candles in sturdy non-tipping bases and away from flammable materials. Keep pets and children away from burning candles.
Be prepared:
1. Be ready by preparing for 3 Days – 3 Ways. Make a plan for your family in the event of a disaster; Build a kit to provide necessary items for a minimum of three days; Get involved by registering for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.
2. Keep tire chains, extra clothing, food/water in your vehicles. Always refill the fuel tank when it reaches three-quarters of a tank.
3. Survey your property and look for any trees, branches, or other objects that may pose a hazard to your home during a windstorm. Have trees and branches removed professionally.
Remember, when you change your clock on Nov. 3 and “fall back” one hour, change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as well. Fire officials also advise to replace your smoke alarms every 10 years.
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