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Winter Fire Safety
General:
· Have your furnace inspected annually - before the cold
weather hits
· Properly prepare your
fireplace and chimneys for the winter season
(Fireplace Safety)
· Always turn portable space heaters off before leaving the
house
· Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable
materials (curtains, bedding, etc.)
· Extinguish candles when leaving a room, leaving the house, or
going to bed
Holiday Decorating:
Between 2000 and 2004, decoration fires accounted for an estimated 1,610
reported home structure fires per year, the majority involving candles as
the heat source, and causing seven civilian deaths, 60 civilian injuries and
$24.9 million in direct property damage per year.
(NFPA)
·
When possible, choose items made with flame-resistant,
flame-retardant, or non-combustible materials
·
Keep candles away from decorations
· Never use candles to decorate your
Christmas tree
· Only use lights and electrical decorations that are approved
by an independent testing lab
· Carefully inspect new and previously-used light strings and
replace all damaged items
· Do not overload your outlets or extension cords
· Don't mount lights or other decorations in a manner that can
damage their cords (stapling, nailing, etc.)
· Remember to keep your escape routes clear of decorations
Holiday Entertaining:
· Never leave your cooking unattended
· Smoke outdoors
· When smoking indoors, provide plenty of wide, deep ashtrays
for your guests
· Check couches and other upholstered furniture for smoldering
cigarette butts and ashes
· Test your smoke alarms and inform your guests about your
family's escape plan
Summer Fire Safety
Grilling:
· Grills should always be used outside
and never indoors, in enclosed spaces or tents
· Situate your grill away from combustible materials and out
from under eaves and low-hanging branches
· Keep children and pets away from grills
· Use grilling tools/utensils with long handles to prevent
burns
· Clean your grill regularly to prevent grease and fat buildup
which can ignite
See the
Willmar Municipal Code for important information regarding the use of grills
Recreational Fires:
Click here for safety tips
Fireworks:
Simply stated, fireworks are just too risky for anyone! People are
urged to leave fireworks, whether legal or illegal, to professionals.
Fireworks endanger not only the users, but the bystanders and surrounding
buildings and property. According to
NFPA, pyrotechnic devices ranging from sparklers to aerial rockets cause
thousands of fires and serious injuries each year.
Carbon Monoxide Safety on Boats
Click here
to view a safety brochure.
Halloween Fire
Safety
· Costumes should be
made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant, or non-combustible materials
· Never compromise visibility (both for your child and for
motorists) when choosing a costume
· Children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult
· Use electric or battery-operated devices rather than candles
for jack-o-lanterns and other decorations
Read More
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