There is nothing more important than the safety of your family. And as summer turns to fall, it is a great idea for everyone in your home to refresh their memories on fall fire safety tips. Many of our safety tips are the same year-round, but here are some fall fire safety tips for you to familiarize yourselves with before we experience the dreaded cold snap of the season.
Check Smoke and CO detectors
Get in the habit of testing your batteries ONCE a month and changing the batteries ONCE a year! All detectors, whether battery operated or hard wired, need to be tested and have the batteries changed. All detectors also only have a 10 year life span.
Home Heating Tips
Making sure your heating devices and/or systems are in good working order is an important part of fall fire safety. Get your central heating system cleaned, inspected and serviced by a certified HVAC contractor every year before using it. Make sure you have fully functioning carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home.
Space Heater Safety Tips
Although the Naperville Fire Department would prefer you didn’t use space heaters, please take extra precaution if you do. Remember that space heaters need SPACE. There should be 3 feet of empty space around them. Don’t place them near furniture or draperies. Always be sure they are turned off and unplugged if you leave the house, the room or if you are going to bed.
Fireplace Safety Tips
If you have a wood burning fireplace that you use, be sure to have it cleaned annually by a licensed chimney sweep. Use your fireplace screen to keep embers and debris inside the fireplace and never leave a fire unattended. When discarding the ashes, please put them in a metal container and store that outside, away from the house.
Family Fire Safety Tips
Make sure your children know how to dial 911. Establish and practice a fire escape plan that includes a designated ‘meeting place’ outside, in the front of your home.
Everyone in your home needs to know these fire prevention tips to reduce the likelihood of experiencing a fire. Practice a fire drill at least twice a year so that you have a plan and know what you are going to do before it happens!
