Don’t let heating fires burn you during cold weather

Firefighters work hard to help people understand home fire dangers, especially during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 8 to 14.

This important annual educational event has been sponsored by NFPA for more than 80 years. It’s the one time when the fire service all across the United States and military communities join forces to make community fire safety education a top priority.

October is known for fire safety in schools, workplaces and fire stations, but autumn also signals the beginning of the heating season in the KMC.
The KMC Fire Department wants to keep our community safe and reduce the number of heating-related fires this season. But we need your help. 
Here’s what you can do:

• Keep things that burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
• Use fireplaces, woodstoves, heaters and furnaces carefully, with good maintenance.
• Get furnaces and chimneys inspected once a year and cleaned or repaired if needed.
• Closely guard children and pets in rooms with heating equipment.
• Turn off portable space heaters when you get ready to sleep or if you leave the room.
Who can prevent heating fires? You can. (Courtesy of KMC Fire and Emergency Services)