As the seasons change, the need for heating our homes and businesses is once again upon us.
The Buffalo Fire Department asks for your help in ensuring that we all enjoy a safe and warm heating season by following these simple safety tips:
- Make sure you have working smoke detectors installed as required
- Make sure that you have working carbon monoxide detectors installed as required
- Keep a working fire extinguisher on hand
- Furnaces and other heating sources should be inspected annually by professionals
- Kitchen stoves/ovens should not be used as a source of heat
- Ensure that the area around your heat sources is clean and free of debris and flammable materials
- Never use gas or diesel powered generators in the home or in confined spaces
Fireplaces & Stoves
Additionally, for the more than one-third of Americans that use fireplaces, wood stoves and other heat sources as their primary source of heat:
- Keep fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, etc., clean by having a certified chimney specialist inspect and clean them annually
- Safely burn fuels - use appropriate fuels - never use accelerant to start the fire
- Never leave fires unattended
- Ensure the safety of children and pets
- Use common sense
More Information
For additionally information, visit the Chimney Safety Institute of America's website.
