SOUTHWICK – As the cold weather and winter is approaching, Massachusetts State Fire Marshall Peter Ostroskey wants to remind the commonwealth about some important tips that can be used to keep safe this winter.
In a press release issued by the Mass Department of Fire Services on Thursday, Ostroskey discussed what people should do if they’ve already turned their heat on.
“This is the best time of year to give your furnace a tune-up,” said Ostroskey. “A well running furnace reduces heating bills, prevents fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.”
However, the tips don’t end at the state level as Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson echoed what Ostroskey said and gave his own perspective.
Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson. (WNG File Photo)
Home heating is the main cause of carbon monoxide and having fully operational smoke and carbon monoxide alarms is important. Carbon monoxide is known as a silent killer and one small step for safety is making sure your alarms are up to date and the batteries are new.
“Having a safety item monitoring it (carbon monoxide) for you is key,” said Anderson. It can be the difference between life and death.
Another tip from Anderson is that when someone is using their fireplace or woodstove, make sure that the chimney is cleared from the debris over the summer and check to see if all pipes are sound and secure. Anderson also wants to remind residents about the proper way to remove any ashes from a woodstove or fireplace. Putting ashes in a metal container and placing them outside is what Anderson recommends.
“Don’t underestimate how long sparks can remain in the ashes,” said Anderson.
A common heating source that people may use is space heaters. While Ostroskey mentioned that plugging a space heater directly into an outlet rather than on a power strip is important, Anderson added that no object should be closer than three feet from a space heater.
If you have any questions or concerns about safety tips for the winter, contact the Southwick Fire Department at 413-569-6363.
