Zanesville Fire Department Shares Fire Safety Tips

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- With lows dipping into the 30’s this week. Many may be reaching for the electric blankets, and space heaters. The Zanesville Fire Department has some tips for properly using those alternative heat sources this season.

Lieutenant Jeff Bell with ZFD said it’s important to know just how your heaters work. In order to avoid accidents that could lead to house fires. And be aware of those dangers that come with using fuel inside your home.

“As we get into the winter months, one of the big things with fire safety we’d like to stress is using alternate heating sources. Make sure that if you are using heaters that you’re the correct fuel in them. If you are using heaters that’s using kerosene or something. That you keep the kerosene in the proper containers. Not in gas cans or anything that can be mixed up or make cause an explosion. Make sure that they’re vented to the outside. One of the big things we have this time of year is carbon monoxide gas. It’s odorless. It’s tasteless. It shows a lot of the same of fatigue or fleu like symptoms. People feel ill. They don’t feel good. And it’s a build up of that CO,” said Bell.

Bell said it’s vital to only use proper heating devices and be sure that they’re in working order before you use them on a regular basis.

“Not to use your oven as a heating device.Don’t light your oven up and open the door to heat. Make sure you when you start the car up you get it out of the garage. Make sure you get your fire place inspected before you use it. Make sure there aren’t any cracks. Make sure your flue and everything is in good shape. All you’re vents and everything is working correctly before you use it. Because we’re want to make sure the heating sources are safe,” said Bell.

And of course, Be sure to check your smoke detectors as well as your carbon monoxide detectors.