5 Things: Fire Safety

The Sussex County Fireman's Association wants you safe the rest of this winter.

So the group released the following tips on how to deal with various aspects of the year's coldest season.

1. CANDLES Never burn candles near evergreens. Never leave home or go to bed with candles burning. Always make sure that candles are in a stable base to prevent them from falling over and starting a larger fire.
2. INDOOR SAFETY FOR PETS When Holly is ingested, it could cause pets to suffer nausea and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Many varieties of lilies may cause kidney failure in cats if ingested.
3. PORTABLE SPACE HEATERS Portable space heaters need space. These units need a 3' clearance from anything combustible and should always be turned off when leaving a room or when you go to sleep.
4. WOOD STOVES AND FIREPLACES Have chimneys cleaned annually to assure they are free of soot and creosote build-up and to be certain that there are no cracks that could lead to fires. Burn only well- seasoned hardwoods. Trash, cardboard or wrapping paper should never be burned in woodstoves or chimneys because they burn unevenly and may contain poisons or cause a house fire. Any ashes removed, should always be placed in a metal can and removed from inside your house - never to be left on a porch or close to the outside of the house since ashes can stay hot for up to a week.
5. SMOKE DETECTORS AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors should be checked for proper operation. These items may save lives. Always be sure that batteries are fresh in your units. At least one CO detector should be placed near sleeping areas.
6.