WESTFIELD – Westfield Fire Chief Mary Regan issued a fire safety warning as we enter the first period of extremely cold weather this winter.
“Sub-freezing temperatures dip this week will tax our heating and electrical systems as we try to stay warm, so a little caution can help you make you it safely through the extreme weather,” said Regan.
Make Sure Smoke Alarms and CO Alarms are Working
“One of the simplest steps for safety you can take is to make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working. They will give you the earliest possible warning that something is wrong so you can escape safely,” said Regan.
“Keep thermostats set at the lowest comfortable temperature as furnaces may struggle to keep the house warm; wear warm clothes and put an extra blanket on the bed,” said Regan “If you run out of oil, or lose power, consider going to the home of a friend or relative who has heat rather than relying on alternative heating sources.”
Space Heaters
“Cold snaps like this is when we tend to see space heater fires and one of every four space heater fires in the past five years has caused a fire injury,” she said. “Space heaters need space, so use them in a 3-foot circle of safety, free of anything that can catch fire.”
“Space heaters are not designed to replace your central heating system, they are only designed to provide a little extra heat on a temporary basis,” she said. “So be sure to turn them off when you leave room or go to bed at night.”
It is best to plug space heaters and other heat-generating appliances directly into the outlet. Overloaded extension cords cause many space heater fires. If you must use an extension cord, make sure it is rated for the same wattage as the appliance and use only one.
Wood, Coal and Pellet Stoves
“Already this winter heating season, Massachusetts has seen numerous serious fires from the improper disposal of ashes from fireplaces, wood and pellet stoves,” said Regan.”A single ember can remain hot for days, so put ashes in a metal container with a lid away from the house, the garage, the deck.”
Several recent fires started with ashes put into plastic bags, cardboard boxes, and plastic trash bins, in the garage, or under the deck.
“Don’t over fire your woodstove. An overtaxed woodstove can easily start a chimney fire taking advantage of creosote build-up or minor cracks in the flue or causing a breakdown in the chimney liner,” said Regan. Heating appliances are the leading cause of carbon monoxide in the home and the risk increases when they are working harder. For more information go to www.mass.gov/keepwarmkeepsafe.
Preventive Maintenance
It’s never too late to have a licensed professional clean and inspect your furnace or chimney. A professional can clean the chimney of creosote, and check for cracked or broken mortar. An efficiently running furnace is cheaper to run. Heating equipment is the leading cause of carbon monoxide in the home.
Use flashlights and battery-operated candles for safety. If you must use flame candles, remember to burn them inside a one-foot circle of safety free of anything that can burn. Place them on a non-combustible surface or in the sink; blow them out when you leave the room or go to bed; and use jar candles or place a globe over stick candles. Keep pets and children away from candles.
Consider Going to a Shelter to Charge Up Cellphones for Emergency Calls
Many people may lose the ability to make emergency calls when cellphone batteries and the battery-backup for fiber optic telephone/cable/Internet services become depleted.
“I would urge people without lights and heat to consider staying with friends and family have power or go to an emergency shelter for a short while, even if it’s just to charge up cellphones, get a hot meal and warm up,” Regan said.
Prevent Freezing Pipes
Let water drip a trickle to prevent pipes from freezing and open cupboards under sinks to let heat circulate around the pipes.
For more information on winter heating safety go to http://www.mass.gov/keepwarmkeepsafe.
