Safety tips for cold weather

With the arctic air and wind chills below zero degrees, here are a few safety tips to keep you and your family safe:

• Check on elderly or home-bound neighbors that may need extra assistance.
• Keep pets inside.
• Make sure all fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or other space heater.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Keep sewer and dryer vents clear from snow to prevent plugging.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on a regular schedule.
• Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Place a sturdy screen in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks from flying into the room. Allow ashes to cool completely before disposing in a metal container outside your home.
• Have a qualified professional install and maintain heating equipment for optimum efficiency and safety.