Over half of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February, so be sure to complete this checklist to help keep your family safe this winter:
QUICK CHECKS
- Have you tested your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms?
- Have you had your furnace professionally inspected?
- Have you had your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected?
- Have you checked your appliances for worn or damaged cords?
- Have you checked your dryer exhaust vent for lint buildup?
- Do you have a covered metal container ready to dispose of cooled ashes?
- Did you remember to sit your fireplace ashes outside to completely cool?
TOO HOT TO HANDLE
- Do your portable space heaters have an automatic shutoff?
- Is there at least 3 feet of space between space heaters and other objects?
- Do you turn space heaters off overnight or when unattended?
- Are your space heaters plugged directly into an outlet?
- Do your children know to stay 3 feet away from any space heater?
- Do you always use a fire guard in front of a burning fire?
JUST IN CASE
- If there's a fire hydrant near your home, are you committed to keeping it free of snow?
- Have you made and practiced a fire escape plan?
- Do you have a fire extinguisher handy?
- Do your children know how to dial 911?
- Are your house numbers easily visible?
- Have you packed an emergency supply kit for your home?
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Courtesy Miami Valley Fire District