Cold weather safety tips

With half of all home fires occurring in December, January and February, local experts have provided a few simple precautions that can help in keeping your home warm, cozy and safe.

Space heaters deserve extra attention when being used.  They should be directly plugged into a wall outlet – never a power strip.  Always keep anything that can burn at least three feet away and turn them off before heading to another room.

When using a fireplace, never use gasoline to start the fire.  Burn dry, seasoned wood and make sure a heat-tempered screen is in place to catch flying embers.  When the fire is out, let the ashes cool completely and store them in a metal container kept outside and away from buildings.

Residents are urged to test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors at least once a month.  Homes should have smoke alarms on every level, in each bedroom and outside sleeping areas.  Carbon monoxide detectors are essential anywhere fuel-burning appliances are used.  Generators should never run indoors and need to be kept away from windows, doors and HVAC units.  Never use a gas oven to warm up the house.

Check holiday lights for frayed wires and avoid plugging too many strands into one outlet.  Keep candles at least a foot away from anything that can burn, and never leave them unattended.  If you have a real Christmas tree, keep it watered and place it far from heaters or fireplaces.

Every household should have a fire-escape plan.  Residents should choose two ways out of each room and pick a safe meeting spot outside.  Practice the plan with everyone in the home, especially with the kids.  Experts also encourage parents to talk with their kids about fire safety in age-appropriate ways.

Having a fire extinguisher nearby is also a good idea, especially if you use a fireplace or multiple heat sources.  Make sure everyone knows where it is and how to operate it.

A little preparation like a clean chimney, a tested alarm or a safely placed space heater can be the difference between a warm night and an emergency.