This weekend will mark the beginning of winter weather with high temperatures forecasted in the 40s and the Garland Fire Department suggests the checklist below for residents to be sure their homes are prepared.
- Furnace has been inspected and serviced by a qualified professional during the last 12 months. (A furnace should be serviced at least once a year.)
- Chimneys and vents have been cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional.
- I have checked for creosote buildup. (Not cleaning your chimney is the leading cause of chimney fires from built up creosote. This service needs to be done at least once a year.)
- Wood for our fireplace or wood stove is dry, seasoned wood.
- Fireplace screen is metal or heat-tempered glass, in good condition and secure in its position in front of the fireplace.
- There is a covered metal container ready to use to dispose cooled ashes. (The ash container should be kept at least 10 feet from the home and any nearby buildings.)
- Children know to stay at least 3 feet away from the fireplace, wood/pellet stove, oil stove or other space heaters.
- Portable space heaters have an automatic shut-off.
- Portable space heaters will be plugged directly into an outlet (not an extension cord) and placed at least 3 feet from anything that can burn; like bedding, paper, walls and even people. (Place notes throughout your home to remind you to turn-off portable heaters when you leave a room or go to bed.)
- We have tested our smoke alarms and made sure they are working. (You need smoke alarms on every level of the home, inside each sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. For the best protection, the smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.)
- We have tested our carbon monoxide alarms and made sure they are working.