Have your chimney and central heating system inspected at least once a year.
References:
Chimney Safety Institute Of America.
Heating Safety Points
Heating Fast Facts
- Keep storage areas free from newspapers and magazines.
- Install smoke detectors on each level of your home and test them regularly.
- Store paints, thinners and other flammable liquids in their original containers, well away from heat, sparks and flames. Never store gasoline in your home.
- Use portable and space heaters with care. Keep them away from combustibles. Clean them regularly and refuel them properly.
- Store matches and lighters up high, out of reach from children.
- Never overload electrical circuits. Never override or bypass fuses or circuit breakers. Never run extension cords across doorways or under carpets.
- Use sturdy, non-spill ashtrays and check for smoking butts in furniture after someone has been smoking-especially after parties. Never smoke in bed.
- Identify your home with large address numbers that the fire department can see easily.
- Make sure there are two clear exits from each room and that everyone knows these escape routes. Practice using them.
- Never call 911 from a building that is on fire, call from a neighbors house.
- Never return into a burning building or try to fight the fire yourself.
Remember "PASS" when using a fire extinguisher:
P-Pull the pin;
A-Aim at the base of the fire;
S-Squeeze the extinguisher handle;
S-Sweep from side to side while aiming at the base of the fire.