Keep Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Clean
•Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.
•Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.
•Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces. Leave glass doors open while burning a fire.
•Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures.
•Keep air inlets on wood stoves open, and never restrict air supply to fireplaces. Otherwise you may cause creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire.
•Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.
Safely Burn Fuels
•Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.
•Use only seasoned hardwood. Soft, moist wood accelerates creosote buildup.
•Build small fires that burn completely and produce less smoke.
•Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris in your fireplace or wood stove.
•When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace on an adequate supporting grate.
•Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
•Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container outside your home.
Protect the Outside of Your Home
•Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet away from your home.
•Keep the roof clear of leaves, pine needles and other debris.
•Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester.
•Remove branches hanging above the chimney, flues or vents.
Protect the Inside of Your Home
•Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Consider installing the new long life smoke alarms.
•Provide proper venting systems for all heating equipment.
•Extend all vent pipes at least three feet above the roof.
Generator Safety
To Avoid Carbon Monoxide Hazards:
•Always use generators outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents.
•NEVER use generators in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, or other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation.
•Follow manufacturer's instructions.
•Install battery-operated or plug-in (with battery backup) carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home, following manufacturer's instructions.
•Test CO alarms often and replace batteries when needed.
To Avoid Electrical Hazards
•Keep the generator dry. Operate on a dry surface under an open, canopy- like structure.
•Dry your hands before touching the generator.
•Plug appliances directly into generator or use a heavy-duty outdoor- rated extension cord. Make sure en tire extension cord is free of cuts or tears and the plug has all 3 prongs, especially a grounding pin.
•NEVER plug the generator into a wall outlet. This practice, known as backfeeding, can cause an electrocution risk to utility workers and others served by the same utility transformer.
•If necessary to connect generator to house wiring to power appliances, have a qualified electrician install appropriate equipment. Or, your utility company may be able to install an appropriate transfer switch
To Avoid Fire Hazards
•Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.
•Always store fuel outside of living areas in properly labeled, non-glass containers.
•Store fuel away from any fuel-burning appliance.