With the holiday season approaching, Fire Chief Chris Mullin has issued a reminder to residents about the increased risks of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning during winter months. Chief Mullin emphasized the importance of basic safety measures in homes.
“The first step to holiday — and every day — safety is to have working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers in the home,” stated Chief Mullin. “These detectors provide an early warning to residents that could prove critical in a carbon monoxide or a smoke-related event. Check your detectors every month to make sure they work, and change the batteries twice a year if you have the older models that use batteries.”
Chief Mullin also addressed Christmas tree safety, advising residents to cut natural trees at a 45-degree angle and water them daily. Trees should be kept at least three feet from heat sources such as fireplaces or radiators, secured properly, and not block exits. He reminded families to monitor children and pets around trees for stability concerns. The township’s Christmas tree recycling program will run from January 5 through January 30; undecorated live trees can be placed on curbs for collection during this period.
On decoration safety, nearly half of decoration-related fires are caused by placing decorations too close to heat sources. Residents are encouraged to keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything flammable, use stable holders, consider flameless candles, inspect light strands for damage before use, follow manufacturer instructions regarding connections, and turn off lights when leaving home or going to bed.
Fireplace usage increases during colder months. Safety tips include having a fire extinguisher nearby, ensuring dampers or flues are open while burning fires, annual chimney inspections by professionals, checking for blockages like animal nests even if cleaning is not due yet, installing fireplace screens, keeping areas clear of flammable materials, never leaving fires unattended or burning inappropriate materials such as garbage or chemically-treated wood. Only dry wood should be used for less smoke production; ash levels should remain under one inch.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is another significant concern in winter due to its odorless and colorless nature. “Carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous because there is no smoke or odor to give residents a warning that something is wrong,” continued Chief Mullin. “That’s why we urge everyone to install detectors, and to change the batteries at least twice a year if they’re battery powered. We recommend usually Daylight Saving Time as a reminder to check all alarms, and inspect fire extinguishers. Industry standards call for carbon monoxide detectors to be replaced every 5 years and smoke detectors to be replaced every 10 years. After a snow storm, we recommend that residents check the vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and/or fireplace to ensure that they’re cleared of piled-up snow that can prevent blockage of this escaping deadly gas. Breathing in large amounts of CO can result in passing out and even death.”
He warned against warming up cars inside enclosed garages since exhaust fumes contain high levels of CO which can seep into homes through openings.
For households with only one CO detector it should be within ten feet of sleeping areas; additional units may be installed near utility rooms.
“If your alarm goes off, immediately determine if you or any other occupants of the house have any of the symptoms of CO poisoning — including flu-like symptoms such as a headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. If so get everyone out of the house immediately move to a well-ventilated area and call the Fire Department,” said Mullin. “If your alarm activates and you DO NOT experience any on the mentioned symptoms the alarm may be a result of a faulty detector and you should notify Public Service Utility Company or the Fire Department and request to have your residence checked for CO.”
Additional resources on holiday fire safety are available at nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/winter-holidays as well as information about fireplace safety at healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Fireplace-Safety_Tips.aspx.
