For most, the kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays. From testing family recipes to decorating cakes and cookies, everyone enjoys being part of the preparations. So keeping fire safety top of mind in the kitchen during this joyous but hectic time is important, especially when there’s a lot of activity […]
Statistics show that cooking fires nearly double on Thanksgiving Day, occurring more than twice as often than on another day. Thanksgiving Day home fires cause more property damage and claim more lives than home fires on other days. Please use these fire safety tips: Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove-top […]
Smoke from wood-burning stoves and fireplaces contain a mixture of harmful gases and small particles. Breathing these small particles can cause asthma attacks and severe bronchitis, aggravate heart and lung disease and may increase the likelihood of respiratory illnesses. If you’re using a wood stove or fireplace and smell smoke in your home, it probably […]
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is an odorless gas that can irritate your eyes, nose and throat and cause shortness of breath. NO2 can come from appliances inside your home that burn fuels such as gas, kerosene and wood. NO2 forms quickly from emissions from cars, trucks and buses, power plants and off-road equipment. Smoke from your […]
Although periods of extreme cold cannot always be predicted far in advance, weather forecasts can sometimes provide you with several days’ notice. Listen to weather forecasts regularly and check your emergency supplies whenever a period of extreme cold is predicted. If you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, have your […]
In the U.S., a house catches on fire every 45 seconds. The devastating effects of rapid fires hit homes both emotionally and financially. In fact, Ready.gov reports that direct property loss due to home fires is estimated at $7.3 billion annually. According to the National Studies of Fire Departments, 80% of all civilian deaths from […]