As Cold Snap Arrives, Paulding Fire/EMA Offers Safety Tips

With the “polar express” headed this way and bringing with it the coldest weather of the season, Paulding County Fire & EMA offered these heating safety tips on Facebook:

Heating safety tips

>>Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths. Half of home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February. Some simple steps can prevent most heating-related fires from happening.

>>Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.

>>Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.

>>Never use your oven to heat your home.

>>Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.

>>Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.

>>Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

>>Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.

>>Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.

>>Test smoke alarms monthly.