Fall fire checklist
theweathernetwork.com
Monday, November 4, 2013, 6:23 PM -
As cooler weather settles in across the country, authorities are reminding residents to practice fire safety.
"Every family should have a fire escape plan," Lisa Cockerill, Public Education Officer with the Burlington Fire Department, told The Weather Network last fall.
"Whether you have small children that may need assistance to get out safely, or older adults as well, have a working smoke alarm."
Cockerill says they are required to be installed on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas. You should also have a working carbon-monoxide alarm in your house.
"You can get ones that are mounted in your ceiling, or simply a plug in type," explains Cockerill. "The best place for a carbon monoxide alarm is near the sleeping areas."
On Sunday, we rolled our clocks back an hour. Cockerill says that when the time changes, it's a great opportunity to replace smoke alarm batteries.
When it comes to fire extinguishers, it's best to place them in the kitchen away from the stove. And when using an extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS: pull, aim, squeeze and sweep.
Operating your furnace safely
Colder weather means that many people will be turning on their furnace for the first time this season.
Officials offer these tips for operating your furnace safely:
- Check it before you turn it on.
- Is it operational? Change the filter.
- Consider having a contractor service it before turning it on.