Safety Tips
How cozy it is to feel the warmth of a fire in the woodstove or fireplace.
Take the following steps to protect your family and property and to burn wood safely.:
have your chimney cleaned
clean your woodstove
remove clutter which may have accumulated on or near the stove or fireplace
be sure your chimney is lined and the liner is in good condition
be sure chimney bricks and mortar are in good condition
do not have more than one heating device in a single flue (liner)
Use a good supply of dry wood
SMOKE ALARMS…….
test all smoke alarms
place an alarm on each floor to give advance warning
practice a family fire drill of what all members of the family will do if the smoke alarm sounds
CANDLES…….
Burning candles, although romantic or necessary due to a power outage, can be very dangerous.
never leave a burning candle unattended
do not use around small children or pets
do not place near combustible items
be sure to place on a stable base
MATCHES AND CIGARETTE LIGHTERS…….
do not leave where children can get them
store matches in a non-combustible container
DRYER VENTS…….
Fires can start from lint collected in dryer vents, clean them out regularly, along with cleaning the lint trap after each load.
MAINTENANCE…….
Fall is a good time to really look around our property and take care of those maintenance problems which could cause a slip and fall in the winter months. be sure outdoor lighting is adequate
repair porches and steps
put summer items away from porches and lawns so that someone won’t trip and fall
have a sand supply ready for the soon to be icy walks and driveways
Now is the time to prepare your home for the winter months ahead.
clean out gutters of leaves and debris
check roof shingles to be sure they are in good condition for wind, ice and snow
check windows for deteriorated sills and putty to prevent water damage to walls and ceilings
take a look at large trees on your property and remove trees and limbs which appear rotted and could fall on your property in winter storms
AND CHILDREN…….
when school is in session, allow yourself extra time
stop for school buses
slow down when approaching children on the side of the road
watch for children who may dart out from between cars
be courteous, a child’s life is not worth the “rush”
protect our children
