Hello Neighbors:
Well, the balloons are gone for another year, days are getting shorter, summer is coming to an end, and winter is right around the corner. Are you, your family, your animals, and your home ready for winter? Here are some preparation reminders for the coming winter months.
- It’s important that you have your furnace inspected to ensure that it is in good working condition.
- Wood stoves and fireplaces are becoming a very common heat source in homes. Careful attention to safety can minimize their fire hazard:
- Have chimney and stove pipe cleaned and inspected annually.
- Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.
- Put ash from the fireplace or stoves in a metal container as ash may stay hot for days — hot enough to be a fire igniter.
- Be sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly. Wood stoves should have adequate clearance (36”) from combustible surfaces, and proper floor support and protection.
- Plan ahead! Have a home escape plan in case a fire breaks out. Have a family meeting to discuss the plan with everyone. The plan should include:
- At least two (2) ways out of every room, if possible.
- Have an outside meeting place that is a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet.
- Once you are out of house – stay out.
- Practice your home fire dills at night and at day with everyone twice a year.
- You can learn more about making an escape plan on our site at: http://lamaderafire.org/in-real-life-get-outside-and-stay-outside/
- When was the last time your smoke alarm and CO monitor’s batteries were changed? Do so now as a pro-active—they save lives. Contact us, we will help with this.
On behalf of all the Volunteers from La Madera VFD-16, we want to thank you for your continued support, and we hope to see you all at Tecolote Auxiliary “FIRE HOUSE FIESTA” in the Spring.
Joe Gober, District Chief