Shelton fire official outlines winter hazards

Make sure to keep portable heaters at least three feet away.

SHELTON – Freezing winter temperatures have prompted the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau to remind everyone to hold fire safety in high regard. 
Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief – Fire Prevention, Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau, says fires tend to increase during winter months when hazards associated with cold weather increase.
Typical hazards include the use of alternative heating methods, attempts to thaw frozen pipe, and the general increased activity indoors. 

In the U.S., heating is the second leading cause of all residential building fires following cooking. January is the peak month for such fires. Pisciotta encourages everyone to consider fire safety to help protect persons, homes, and businesses from the potential threat of fire.

Adequate heat should be maintained in all areas with use of well arranged and maintained heating equipment. Here are some helpful tips to prevent and unwanted fire in your home or business:

General Heating:

· A furnace should be inspected and serviced by a qualified professional at least once a year.

· Use temporary/portable space heaters that have been evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

· If temporary/portable space heaters are used, keep anything that can burn; such as bedding, paper, furniture, etc. at least three feet away.

· Ensure the portable space heater has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over.

· Electric portable space heaters should be plugged directly into a proper wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord.

· Turn off portable heaters when you leave a room or go to bed. (Use reminders such as notes, timer, etc. to ensure you to turn off heaters when you leave a room or go to bed.)

Wood burning stove or fireplace:

Use closed metal container for ashes

· Only burn properly dry and seasoned wood in a fireplace or wood stove. Never burn trash, paper, or green wood.

· A chimney for a wood burning stove or fireplace should be inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist at least once a year. The leading cause of chimney fires is from built up creosote.

· Ensure any fireplace is provided with a metal screen or heat-tempered glass, in good condition and secured in position in front of the fireplace.

· Dispose of cooled ashes in a closed metal container, which is then kept outside your home at least 10 ft. away from the house, wood deck, and any nearby buildings.

If heat is lost:

· Safely prevent pipes from freezing by running water, using alternative heating in a safer manner, and promptly making repairs to the primary heating system.

· If pipes do freeze, special care should be taken in thawing them. Open flames should never be used to thaw pipe.

Clothes dryers:

· With increased use of clothes dryers, be sure proper ventilation and lack of lint build-up in the ventilation system. Never leave a dryer running unattended

Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. 
Know when and how to call “911” for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.

For more information, the public is encouraged to contact the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau at 203-924-1555 or on the web under “Public Safety” at www.cityofshelton.org.


This is a press release from Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention in Shelton.