As the area gets hit with chilling temperatures and heaps of snow, it is important to pay attention to fire safety tips, ensuring households stay warm and safe this winter season.
Cathy Mealy, of the Bradford Central Fire Station, gave some tips and cautions as various winter weather conditions begin to fall upon us.
Many individuals may use space heaters to help keep their rooms warm, but if not used correctly and safely, they can be dangerous.
Mealy suggests always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions; this allows for proper set-up and maintenance. She urges to keep them a safe distance away from children and pets, as the heat emitted and the heater itself, should not be touched.
Space heaters should also never be plugged in using extension cords or power strips, they need to be directly plugged into a wall outlet.
Hardware stores may also carry small, portable heaters that are designed to be safe around children and pets, as they use radiant heat, which is not hot to the touch.
As for the freezing of pipes, Mealy stated that pipe safety all depends on where the pipes are located. She suggests, in the event of frozen water pipes, using a device that will create a slow thaw, such as a blow dryer, but to always remember to use caution around water with electric devices.
Using open flame to thaw pipes is very dangerous and should not be used, Mealy said. It can either cause a fire at your own home through insulation for instance, or transfer through pipes to another home or building without you even knowing.
Mealy suggests keeping good light bulbs on in different areas where water pipes are located, such as in a crawl space, as she does.
“You don’t realize how much heat light bulbs can emit, and if they are safe, they can help to heat your home,” she said.
Another option, she said, is to contact a professional plumber, thus ensuring an issue is being properly addressed.
She also reminded homeowners and renters to pay close attention to detectors in their homes, and make sure they are working properly.
As for everyday safety tips outside in the weather, Mealy said to make sure you always dress in layers and to let people know what you are doing so that they can keep an eye on you.
Also, shovel in segments through the day when there is a snowstorm, instead of waiting until the very end of the day, because the extensive time outside can cause health dangers, such as hypothermia.
“We love being able to help, but a lot of winter weather emergencies are able to be prevented for the safety of the individual,” Mealy said.
As for some simple tips to make things easier for emergency vehicles and workers, always try to keep your walkways and hydrants clear for easy access. It not only makes it easier for emergency responders, but makes response times faster as well.
When it comes to children and pets being outside during dangerous wintry weather, Mealy believes you should always dress them for the weather, monitor them and time them while they are outside. She said sometimes it can be hard for children to communicate with adults, or they don’t realize how the cold is affecting them before it’s too late.
“If you can’t monitor them, then they shouldn’t be outside,” mealy said. “It’s as simple as that.”
