STOUGHTON CARLYLE
It is the time of year when fall cleanup is happening and it is now time for winter maintenance.
Furnaces will soon be running to keep homes warm, dryers will be running more often, and the electric heaters might be plugged in.
Maintenance is of the utmost importance and local fire chiefs and deputies have some helpful tips to try and keep everyone safe throughout the winter months.
It is difficult for fire department volunteers to receive that 911 call, and go out and see someone’s home engulfed in flames. It is much better to check and double check to prevent a fire.
Pat Slater is the longtime fire chief for the Stoughton Tecumseh Fire Department, and he had this advice.
Have your furnace looked at before startup and make sure the filter is replaced throughout the season. The furnace repair person can also check for leaks such as carbon monoxide, which is an odorless gas and is deadly.
Both departments explained how important it is to check the smoke detectors in homes and have a working carbon monoxide detector, which is now required for all homes no matter when the home was built.
It is also code to have these on each level of the home where bedrooms are located. This includes basements. Check to make sure they have fresh batteries, and they are not expired.
Deputy Chief Brent Stillwell of the Carlyle and R.M. 63 Fire Department offered his thoughts.
Cooking safely starts with keeping an eye on what you have on the stove or in the oven. It is always good practice to set a timer for items that may take longer to cook or bake. Keep the cooking area clear of items that can burn easily such as tea towels, oven mitts, food packaging or paper towels.
Always turn pot handles towards the back of the stove and keep a lid nearby when cooking. Keep kids and pets away from the area when cooking as this too can cause issues.
Slater and Stillwell agreed that for a small grease fire, slide the lid on the pan. Do not add water and do not attempt to move, but do turn the burner off.
Having a fire extinguisher in the kitchen is also a good idea. Although it can be very messy to put out a fire, it is also a bigger mess if the whole kitchen goes up in flames.
Do not wait too long to call 911. It only takes two minutes for a fire to get out of control and at that point it might be too late.
Have a plan in place for a fire escape, making sure everyone in the house knows it. Doing a fire drill and having the routes in place can save a life.
Basement bedrooms or suites must have a window for escape. This does not include a doorway going into another room
Dryers are another item that can cause a fire if not maintained. Check and clean the dryer vent that goes outside. The lint trap inside the dryer needs to be cleaned regularly. Lint builds up in the vent and if plugged could cause a fire.
If a real Christmas tree is the plan this year, make sure that it has water at all times, and do not leave the lights on when not at home. Candles can become an issue if left unattended. Keep them clear of Christmas trees and anything that can catch fire.
Although this message has been conveyed many times, it does save lives.
