Roseville firefighters hope to stay home the next few weeks. But if history is an indication, this could be their busiest time of the year. Firefighters offer some winter safety advice to help prevent fires and other fire related dangers.
• Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace to prevent sparks from jumping out.
• Be sure the fireplace fire is out completely before going to sleep. Do not close the damper if hot ashes are in the fireplace. This will force carbon monoxide into the home.
• Do not burn charcoal indoors. Charcoal gives off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.
• Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate a fire.
• Use child-resistant lighters, but remember, child-resistant does not mean childproof.
• Do not leave a burning candle unattended.
• Keep burning candles away from curtains, lampshades, blankets and other flammable objects.
• Only use space heaters that meet the latest safety standards and are certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriter's Laboratories (UL).
• Keep space heaters at least three feet from flammable materials.
• Turn the space heater off when you leave the area. Do not leave a space heater on while sleeping.