SHREWSBURY — As temperatures drop and with winter on the horizon, Chief James Vuona and the Shrewsbury Fire Department would like to provide residents with safety tips for heating homes and staying warm this winter.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Safety, heating is the second leading cause of home fires in Massachusetts with over 7,000 fires started in just the last five years.
“It’s absolutely crucial that residents are aware of the potential dangers associated with various home heating methods,” Chief Vuona said. “Review the preparations that need to be made to safely heat your home, and the precautions that you need to take to prevent fires.”
Residents are also encouraged to review the Shrewsbury Home Heating Resource Booklet by clicking here. The booklet provides information on resources including fuel assistance, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, Citizen’s Energy, Share the Warmth and the NSTAR Program. Safety information in the booklet also discusses carbon monoxide awareness, cold weather and fire safety, emergency preparedness kits and town-wide emergencies.
In order to keep residents warm and safe, the Shrewsbury Fire Department wishes to share the following tips from the National Fire Protection Association:
- Keep children and anything flammable at least three feet (1 meter) away from heating equipment. Also keep children and pets away from the outside vents.
- Maintain heating equipment and chimneys and vents by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Make sure fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
- Regularly test and maintain the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
- Never use space heaters to dry blankets or clothing. Instead, air dry them or
use a clothes dryer. - Never use flammable liquids, such as lighter fluid, kerosene, or gasoline,
to start a fire. Use newspaper or kindling wood instead. - Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
- Purchase and use only portable space heaters that have the label of a
recognized testing laboratory, and only those that have an automatic shut
-off-if they tip over, they shut off. - Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets. Never plug space heaters into an extension cord.
- In wood stoves, only burn dry, seasoned wood.
- In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets.
- Unless you are loading or stoking the fire, leave the doors of your wood stove closed.
- Allow ashes to cool before disposing of them. Put ashes in a tightly
covered metal container and keep the ash container at least 10 feet away from any buildings. - The Shrewsbury Fire Department also reminds residents to make sure your stove is approved by a national testing agency such as Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) and obtain a building permit before installing a stove.
Gas leaks can be dangerous– if you smell something like rotten eggs or you think there might be a leak:
- Use a metal or heat-tempered glass screen on a fireplace.
- Evacuate the building.
- Do not smoke or turn electrical switches on or off – sparks can cause an explosion.
- Dial 911 immediately.
If you have more questions about safely heating your home please contact the Shrewsbury Fire Department at 508-841-8522.
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