Spotlight on Safety
Fall? Wait, fall is here, but we are still in shorts and t-shirts because it was 84 this weekend. Yes, fall is here; you know how I know? Two words: PUMPKIN SPICE. Pumpkin spice is in the air, and that is how we all know fall has arrived. While we can still wear shorts and t-shirts for the time being, the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting an “unseasonably cold” winter for us. So, get your fleece blankets, flannel clothes, and furry boots ready. Hurry and stock up on firewood, as it will soon be hard to find. Afterward, grab your pumpkin spice drink of choice and check out these fire safety tips for this fall and winter.
Fire safety equipment
- Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and CO2 detectors
- Check your fire extinguishers and make sure they are properly charged
- Develop or review your home fire evacuation plan
Fall Decorations
- Keep decorations away from open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs
- Consider using battery-operated or electric lights instead of candles in Jack-O-Lanterns
- Check any decorative lights to see if they’ve been certified as safe
- Don’t let decorations block any exits you might need in case of an emergency
- Be careful not to overload outlets as you plug in decorations
Fireplace Safety Tips
- Clean out ash from previous fires before lighting a new one, and ensure the chimney is cleaned annually
- Make sure the damper or flue is open before starting a fire, and crack a window if possible to help with air quality
- Install safety screens to protect children, and keep all children and pets at least three feet away from the fireplace
- Keep any flammable objects at least three feet away from the fireplace
- Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby
- Never leave a fireplace unattended
Candle safety tips
- Keep candles away from anything flammable
- Never leave a lit candle unattended
- Place burning candles at least three inches away from each other
- Never move a burning candle; the wax can burn you
- Don’t burn a candle all the way to the end; instead, stop burning the candle when ½ inch remains
- Use a candle snuffer to extinguish a candle to avoid splattering hot wax
Home Heating
The threat of house fires from heating elements in the winter is very real. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), heating equipment caused one in seven home fires that took place in 2014 – 2018 and accounted for 19% of home fire deaths. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to protect your people and your property. Below, learn about the top causes of heating-related home fires and what you can do to prevent them.
Maintenance and Cleaning Issues
As a homeowner, it can feel like the list of maintenance items is never-ending when it comes to taking proper care of your home. But one you don’t want to skip is an annual inspection of your HVAC system.
During an inspection, a trained professional will look at your heating and cooling units inside and outside the home to ensure that everything is working properly and nothing needs to be replaced. Not only will this keep you safe, it can also help save on heating and cooling costs since your system will be working as efficiently as possible.
You’ll also want to make sure to routinely replace filters throughout your HVAC system. Clogged or dirty filters can quickly fuel fires. Check your manual to see how frequently filters need to be changed, and don’t forget to also clean your air ducts. Air ducts should be cleaned every 3 to 5 years.
Improper Spacing of Heating Elements
If your home gets especially cold in the winter, you might consider using a space heater. Space heaters are a good option to heat up a small room or an especially drafty area, but special precautions must be taken. 81% of home heating fire deaths are caused by space heaters.
Precautions include:
- Keep all space heaters on the floor; don't elevate them
- Keep it away from water
- Follow the three-foot rule: keep anything flammable at least three feet away in all directions from a space heater; this may include curtains, papers, clothing, furniture, and more
- Keep children at least three feet away from a space heater at all times
- Plug a space heater into the wall, not an extension cord or power strip
- Never leave a space heater unattended
- Keep in mind: the three-foot rule also applies to other heating elements, such as a furnace or fireplace - be sure to keep children far away from these items, too
Outdoor Fire Safety
Patio fire pits, Campfires, and Bonfires
- Always keep a bonfire at least 25 feet away from any structures (like a house or shed) or anything flammable (such as trees)
- Choose a level location and make sure all leaves, sticks, and other flammable objects are removed from the area before starting a fire
- Don't use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start a fire; instead, use small sticks, branches, or newspaper
- Never leave a fire unattended
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the fire at all times, and NEVER leave them alone with the fire
- Always keep a bucket of water, a shovel, and sand on hand to put out a fire once you’re done enjoying it
- Be absolutely sure the fire is completely out before leaving the site; don't leave until all of the embers are gone
Dry Grass and Leaves
In the fall, things can get pretty dry, especially grass and leaves. One easy way to prevent fires during the fall is to pay attention to burn bans. Burn bans are issued when conditions make starting a fire especially likely, such as dry weather and wind combined. These bans are usually shared on local news or weather apps, and they mean no fires should be lit until the ban has expired.
Another common fire hazard in the fall comes from burning leaves after raking. Before you consider burning leaves, be sure to check your local ordinances to see if it’s even allowed—it's not permissible everywhere. If it is allowed and you want to burn your raked leaves, make sure you do so safely. Never use flammable liquids to start the fire, and never leave the fire unattended. You need to be present and prepared to extinguish it at any moment if it gets out of hand. If you want to be as safe as possible, choose an alternative to burning, such as composting or scheduling a pick-up for bags of leaves. And a final note: never add trash or other debris to burning leaves, tempting as it may be. Doing so can unintentionally cause toxic fumes or other health hazards.
Blog written by Aaron Huddleston, Interim Chief of Police
