Reminder to Practice Fire Safety this Holiday Season

The Department of Justice and Public Safety is providing tips on how to protect yourself and your family this holiday season through its ‘Tis the Season to Practice Fire Safety campaign.

Here are some tips on how to ensure the safety of your home, family and guests:

• Inspect, maintain, and clean your chimney regularly to prevent chimney fires;

• Use a small amount of dry wood to build your fire; do not overload your wood stove or fireplace as this may cause overheating which can lead to damage to the wood burning unit and piping;

• Always remove any stockings or decorations hanging on or near the wood stove or fireplace before lighting a fire;

• Never add highly flammable materials or substances such as wrapping paper or gasoline to your fire; and

• Never set up a Christmas tree close to a wood stove or fireplace;

• Carbon monoxide alarms are necessary if you have a wood burning unit in your home. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for correct installation;

• Open the damper in a fireplace to enable proper air flow and keep it open until the fire is out and ashes have cooled; and

• Never go to bed with a fireplace still burning.