Holiday Safety Tips from NFM Fire Control District
Happy Holidays from the North Fort Myers Fire Control and Rescue Service District. We hope this information is helpful and we wish you and your family, a safe, happy and healthy holiday season. Here are a few holiday and cold weather tips.
– Heaters/Air Conditioners: Heaters should be checked for proper operation. North Fort Myers has many reputable companies that can perform pre-season inspections and maintenance. Heaters in Southwest Florida, especially in manufactured homes consist of electric heating coils that consist of elements that in the cooler months become covered with dust particles. When you turn your heater on for the first time, you will smell burning material, which could be the dust. Unfortunately, sometimes this could be a more serious problem.
In manufactured homes, animals have a tendency to bore holes and build nests in your duct work, which can be a potential fire hazard. Duct work should be checked before heating season begins also. If you have a heat pump, heat pumps do contain an emergency heating setting, which consists of the same type heater as an electric system, and should be checked before the beginning of the cold season.
– Space heaters: Should be kept away from combustibles and flammables. Combustibles are anything that will burn. Flammables are things that can burn very easy. Never leave a space heater unattended when in operation. When purchasing a space heater, look for a UL label which means it has been tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratories.
– Christmas trees: When purchasing a live tree, always check for freshness. Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree is fresh. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Once you have the tree in your home, keep water in the stand and check daily.
Keep in mind, with gifts under the tree and strung with lights, we have the potential for the perfect bonfire in your home. Never use live candles on a tree and be sure lights are UL rated.
– Menorahs and candles: Candles are used quite often in homes, but keep in mind, candles should be displayed or used away from combustibles (curtains, drapes, etc.), in a secure and stable area, away from the reach of children.
– Cooking: When cooking, wear clothes appropriate for cooking, avoiding puffy sleeves, bulky clothes that can come into contact with heating elements or flames. When using grease, always have a lid available that will fit securely on the pan. In case of a grease fire, place the lid on the pan and do not try to remove pan. Never use water on a grease fire. Baking soda and salt should not be used either.
A fire extinguisher would make an excellent gift for the cook or chef in your home. When cooking, all handles on pots/pans should face inward, this eliminates the chance of hitting or knocking it down, and curious children can not just reach up and grab a handle.
– Fireplaces: Never use your fireplace to burn wrapping materials, which can create toxic fumes or even a flash fire. Use kindling and wood matches to light the fire, not flammable liquids. Keep flammable decorations away from the fireplace. Make sure the chimney flue is open, and do not close the chimney flue until the fire is completely out. Dispose of ashes in a metal container and never in or near your home.
– Smoke detectors: Should be installed on each floor and outside each bedroom. Test smoke detectors at least once a month and replace batteries every six months.
If you have questions about fire safety, please contact our office at 997-8654, or visit our website at www.northfortmyers.com. In an emergency, always dial 911.
Source: NFMFire Control and Rescue District
Holiday Safety Tips from NFM Fire Control District
Happy Holidays from the North Fort Myers Fire Control and Rescue Service District. We hope this information is helpful and we wish you and your family, a safe, happy and healthy holiday season. Here are a few holiday and cold weather tips.
n Heaters/Air Conditioners: Heaters should be checked for proper operation. North Fort Myers has many reputable companies that can perform pre-season inspections and maintenance. Heaters in Southwest Florida, especially in manufactured homes consist of electric heating coils that consist of elements that in the cooler months become covered with dust particles. When you turn your heater on for the first time, you will smell burning material, which could be the dust. Unfortunately, sometimes this could be a more serious problem.
In manufactured homes, animals have a tendency to boar holes and build nests in your duct work, which can be a potential fire hazard. Duct work should be checked before heating season begins also. If you have a heat pump, heat pumps do contain an emergency heating setting, which consists of the same type heater as an electric system, and should be checked before the beginning of the cold season.
n Space heaters: Should be kept away from combustibles and flammables. Combustibles are anything that will burn. Flammables are things that can burn very easy. Never leave a space heater unattended when in operation. When purchasing a space heater, look for a UL label which means it has been tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratories.
n Christmas Trees: When purchasing a live tree, always check for freshness. Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree is fresh. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Once you have the tree in your home, keep water in the stand and check daily.
Keep in mind, with gifts under the tree and strung with lights, we have the potential for the perfect bonfire in your home. Never use live candles on a tree and be sure lights are UL rated.
n Menorahs and Candles: Candles are used quite often in homes, but keep in mind, candles should be displayed or used away from combustibles (curtains, drapes, etc.), in a secure and stable area, away from the reach of children.
n Cooking: When cooking, wear clothes appropriate for cooking, avoiding puffy sleeves, bulky clothes that can come into contact with heating elements or flames. When using grease, always have a lid available that will fit securely on the pan. In case of a grease fire, place the lid on the pan and Do Not try to remove pan. Never use water on a grease fire. Baking soda and salt should not be used either.
A Fire Extinguisher would make an excellent gift for the cook or chef in your home. When cooking, all handles on pots/pans should face inward, this eliminates the chance of hitting or knocking it down, and curious children can not just reach up and grab a handle.
n Fireplaces: Never use your fireplace to burn wrapping materials, which can create toxic fumes or even a flash fire. Use kindling and wood matches to light the fire, not flammable liquids. Keep flammable decorations away from the fireplace. Make sure the chimney flue is open, and Do Not close the chimney flue until the fire is Completely out. Dispose of ashes in a metal container and never in or near your home.
n Smoke Detectors: Should be installed on each floor and outside each bedroom. Test smoke detectors at least once a month and replace batteries every six months.
If you have questions about fire safety, please contact our office at 997-8654, or visit our website at www.northfortmyers.com. In an emergency, always dial 911.
Source: North Fort Myers Fire Control and Rescue District