HARRISBURG, Pa- The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire announced today fire safety tips that residents of Central PA can follow to keep themselves safe during frigid winter temperatures and the impending snow fall.
“The Bureau of Fire is committed to keeping the residents of Harrisburg and the entire Harrisburg region safe from fire and other home emergencies throughout the winter season,” said Fire Chief Brian Enterline. “We encourage everyone to review the winter safety tips below to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones. “ According to NFPA, half of all home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February. Half of the home heating fire deaths resulted from fires that started when something that could burn was too close to the heating equipment.
NFPA and the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire offer several tips you can follow to ensure a safe and cozy winter:
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or other space heater.
- Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
- Never use your oven, stove top, or other cooking appliance to heat your home.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room and burn only dry, seasoned wood. Allow ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container, which is kept a safe distance from the home.
- Install and maintain carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Make sure all fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use a propane tank indoors
- Never attempt to thaw frozen water pipes with a blow torch or open flame. Pipes can conduct heat and ignite the wall or other surrounding materials.
Further information can be found at:
