Fire Department staff relay fall fire safety tips

  • Published
  • By 341st Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Prevention Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  As summer turns to fall, it's a good idea for Air Force Global Strike Command members to refresh their memory on fall fire safety tips. Some safety tips are the same regardless of the time of year, but many safety concerns are seasonal, particularly those that involve keeping the home warm.

Time Changes Mean Battery Changes
Get in the habit of changing the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors every fall and spring when changing the clocks for Daylight Savings Time. It is also a good idea to make it a standard procedure to verify all fire extinguishers are fully charged and in working order when you adjust the clocks each season.

Home Heating Tips
No matter what type of device is used to heat the home, making sure the heating devices and/or systems are in good working order is an important part of fall fire safety tips. Many things can go wrong with heating equipment. Verify everything needed to keep the home warm throughout fall and winter is in good working order before experiencing the first cold snap of the season.

Central Heating System Safety Tips
Get central heating systems cleaned, inspected and serviced by a certified heating, venting and air conditioning contractor every year before using it. With gas heaters, make sure a sufficient quantity of fully functioning carbon monoxide detectors are installed in the home.

Space Heater Safety Tips
  • Make sure any space heaters are surrounded by at least three feet of empty space.
  • Never place clothing or any other objects on a space heater to dry.
  • Do not place space heaters near furniture or drapery.
  • Turn space heaters off when leaving the house or going to bed.
  • Avoid storing any combustible items near heaters.
Fireplace Safety Tips

  • Get chimneys inspected each year to make sure they are safe.
  • Hire a chimney sweep to clean out chimneys every fall.
  • Repair any cracks in fireplaces.
  • Use fireplace screens to keep sparks and fire debris inside the fireplace.
  • Do not ever use gasoline to start a fire in the fireplace.
  • Never leave a fire unattended.
  • Make sure combustible materials are not stored within three feet of a fireplace.
  • For natural gas fireplaces, get all connections and lines inspected before use each season.
  • Remember that outdoor fireplaces can be just as dangerous as indoor units, and observe all safety precautions when using them.
Outdoor Fall Fire Safety Tips
Clean roofs and gutters of unnecessary debris build up, such as pine needles and leaves. Learn the outdoor burning regulations in your area, and do not engage in illegal burning of leaves and other outdoor debris.

Fire Safety Tips for Holiday Decorations
  • Use only fire-retardant holiday decorations.
  • Verify all holiday lights and extension cords have been tested by an organization such as Factory Mutual or Underwriters Laboratory.
  • Ensure proper care of live Christmas trees, e.g. daily watering.
Family Fire Safety Tips
  • Teach children how to respond in the event of a fire.
  • Make sure young children know how to dial 911.
  • Establish and practice a fire escape plan with the family that includes a designated meeting area outside.
  • Teach everyone in the family multiple ways to escape from every room in the event of a fire.
  • Make sure there is a sufficient quantity of smoke detectors in the home.
  • Verify smoke detectors are in working order each month.
  • Make sure everyone in the family knows how to use a fire extinguisher.
  • Do not place lit candles where they can be reached by children.
  • Never leave burning candles unattended.
  • Do not leave candles burning when you go to sleep.
  • Don't leave cooking food unattended on the stove.
  • Make sure all flammable substances are properly stored in safe containers and out of the reach of youngsters.
Safety Matters
There is nothing more important than the safety of your family. Everyone in the home needs to know how to reduce the likelihood of experiencing a fire. However, because fires can start at any time without warning, it is also very important the members of a household know how to react in the event of a fire. It's a good idea to review fire prevention and safety tips with the family every fall, and several other times throughout the year.