Indian River offers fire safety message during cold temperatures.... 

During extreme cold weather, the primary fire safety message is the careful use of heating equipment to prevent an increased risk of home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Heating Safety 

• Maintain Distance: Keep anything that can burn (furniture, bedding, curtains, people, and pets) at least three feet away from all heat sources, including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, and portable heaters.

• Space Heater Precautions: Plug electric space heaters directly into a wall outlet, not into an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat. Always turn off space heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.

• Professional Inspection: Have heating equipment, chimneys, and vents professionally cleaned and inspected every year to ensure they are working properly and safely.

• Safe Fuel Use: Use only the type of fuel that your heater is designed for. Never use an oven or stove to heat your home, as this is a safety hazard and can produce dangerous carbon monoxide fumes.

• Ashes Disposal: If using a fireplace or wood stove, dispose of cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep it outside, at least 10 feet away from your home and any other buildings. 

Carbon Monoxide and Alarms

• Install Detectors: Install working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas.

• Test Monthly: Test alarms monthly to ensure they are working, and replace batteries at least once a year, or the entire unit if it is older than 10 years.

• Generator Safety: Never use generators, charcoal grills, or camping stoves indoors or in an attached garage. Generators should be located outdoors and at least 20 feet from any window, door or vent and in a space where rain and snow will not reach them.

General Preparedness

• Clear Exits: Ensure all exits and pathways, including around fire hydrants, are clear of snow and ice to provide access for emergency workers.

• Emergency Kit: Prepare and stock an emergency kit with essentials like flashlights, extra batteries, food, and water in case of a power outage. Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns for emergency lighting instead of candles, if possible.

• Escape Plan: Develop and practice a home fire escape plan with everyone in the household, ensuring everyone knows two ways out of every room.