When temperatures go down, the use of fireplaces, space heaters and heaters in general go up, as does the chance of a house fire. The Duchesne Volunteer Fire Department has shared some tips on how to get ahead of the winter freeze and be safe. A furnace should be serviced at least once a year by a qualified professional. Have your chimney vents cleaned and inspected as creosote build up is the leading cause of chimney fires. Space heaters need to be plugged directly into an outlet and need to have an automatic shut-off. Place heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. Teach children to stay at least 3 feet away from the fireplace, stove, or space heaters. Make sure there are smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home and be sure that they are working. Stay warm and stay safe!
