Ensure adequate clearance from combustibles. Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary.  Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.  Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening.  Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces.  Never burn charcoal indoors.  Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel.  Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out.  If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package.


Furnace Heating Tips

• It's important that you have your furnace inspected to ensure that it is in good working condition.
  
• Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition.
  
• Leave furnace repairs to qualified specialists.  Do not attempt repairs yourself unless you are qualified.
  
• Inspect the walls and ceiling near the furnace and along the chimney line.  If the wall is hot or discolored, additional pipe insulation or clearance maybe required.
  
• Check the flue pipe and pipe seams.  Are they well supported, free of holes, and cracks?  Soot along or around seams may be an indicator of a leak.
  
• Is the chimney solid, with cracks or loose bricks?  All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry.
  
• Keep trash and other combustibles away from the heating system.

Wood Stove Safety

Ensure adequate clearance from combustibles.  Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary.  Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.  Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires.  Never burn charcoal indoors.  Keep flammable materials away from your stove.

Christmas Tree and Holiday Decorations Fire Safety Decorating homes and businesses is a long standing tradition during the holiday season. Unfortunetly it’s these decorations that increase the chance of fire. Follow a few simple Christmas tree & holiday decoration fire safety tips to ensure Happy Holidays. CHRISTMAS TREES can remain relatively fire resistant if you follow these simple steps:

• When selecting your live Christmas tree, choose a fresh one with green needles.
• Recut the trunk at least two inch above the old cut as soon as you get it home. This allows it to continue to pull moisture into its foliage.
• Keep the trunk in water immediately after it is recut. Moisture is the key to keeping the tree fresh and thereby enhancing its fire resistance. If the tree will be kept outside for a few days, stand it in a bucket of water until you are ready to bring it indoors.
• Check the water levels daily... Never let the water level go below the bottom of the trunk. Commercial floral preservatives can also be added to the water to help keep the tree fresh.
• Locate any tree at least 3 feet away from sources of heat. Avoid placing any tree, live or artificial, near a heater outlet, wood stove or fireplace. Put it in the coolest location possible.
• Never leave a lighted tree unattended.
• Remove the tree immediately after the holidays. Even a properly cared for live tree will eventually die. Take it to a recycle center or leave for your refuse collector.

LIGHTS & DECORATIONS

• Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
• Keep decorations away from heat sources, windows and doors.
• Properly install your holiday lights. Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory.
• Be sure to use indoor lights inside and outdoor lights outside.
• Make sure all electrical cords have no frayed or cracked wires or broken sockets. Do not attempt to repair a worn light set! Throw it away and purchase a new replacement.
• Do not overload electrical outlets.
• Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe.
• Do not leave lights turned on for prolonged periods or unattended.
• Keep your exits clear by keeping decorations away from windows and doors.
• In addition to being shatterproof and shock resistant, LED lights produce almost no heat, making them safe to touch and greatly reducing the risk of fire.

“The hectic nature of entertaining during the holidays makes it easy to overlook even the most basic cooking safety rules."

We encourages all home chefs to follow these simple fire-safety tips:

1. Stay in the kitchen. Don't leave the kitchen when you are frying, broiling or grilling. If you leave the kitchen even for a brief time, be sure to turn off all the burners on the stovetop. Don't use the stovetop or oven if you are tired or have consumed alcohol or drugs.

2. Set a timer as a reminder that the range or stove is on. Ranges were involved in three of every five home cooking fires in 2011, with ovens accounting for 16 percent of home fires, according to the NFPA. Check your food frequently, and use a timer to remind yourself that the range, stove or oven is on. They’re an inexpensive way to stay safe while ensuring that your holiday dishes do not overcook.

3. Keep anything that can catch on fire away from the stovetop. Pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels and other flammable objects should be kept a safe distance from the stovetop.

4. Keep a lid or cookie sheet, baking soda and oven mitt nearby when you're cooking to use in case of a grease fire. Fire extinguisher use without training can cause a grease fire to spread and increase the chances of serious injury.

5. Ensure your smoke alarm is fully functional before the holiday cooking season begins. Install a photoelectric smoke alarm (or one having a hush button feature) that is at least 10 feet away from your kitchen and use the test button to check it each month. Replace the battery at least once per year and never disable a smoke alarm.

“If you’re considering disabling a smoke alarm, think about this: almost two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms, In addition to following basic safety rules in the kitchen this holiday season, everyone should have a home fire escape plan with at least two ways out of every room. Practice at least twice a year to ensure the safety of everyone in your home all year long.”