New Year’s Resolution for Safety
by Kay Gault, for Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services,
January 12, 2012, page 10.....

In light of recent tragedies in our region, please take a moment to read these safety ideas and resolve to take action to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Smoke and CO detectors
Test your smoke detectors for operation; change the battery if you have not done it yet this year. Have a wired-in alarm system tested and serviced by a professional at least once a year to prevent unnecessary false alarms. If your present detectors are older than seven years, replace them. New smoke detectors should be the photoelectric type, to detect smoke from fires more quickly than the ionization types. One detector for every level of your home is a minimum, one for every bedroom is recommended. For more information please go to the State Fire Marshal’s website dps.state.vt.us/fire/smoke/index.html.
Install at least one CO (Carbon Monoxide) detector in your home. The plug-in type with numeric readout and battery backup is recommended. These devices have saved lives here in Charlotte. State law requires one in every residential unit. Test it several times per year. If you have a direct vent gas appliance, make sure the vent is kept clear of snow.

Fireplace safety tips
Whether you are roasting chestnuts on an open fire or stoking up the wood stove to get through another frigid winter night, fireplaces, woodstoves and pellet stoves are essential tools for winter warmth and comfort in Vermont. They are also fire hazards that contribute to home heating equipment being the second leading cause of U.S. home fires. The following safety tips can help you to reduce the risk of a fire in your home.
• Install all home heating equipment following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation.
• Wood stoves should have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Chimneys and vents need to be cleaned and inspected at least once a year.
• In wood stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets.
• Start stove fires with newspaper or kindling, never with a flammable liquid, such as lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline.
• Keep the doors of your wood stove closed unless loading or stoking the live fire.
• Make sure the fireplace or stove has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.
• Never leave a fireplace fire unattended.
• Keep all flammable items at least three feet away from any heating equipment.
• When disposing of ashes, allow the ashes to cool before disposing of them. Dispose of ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep the ash container at least ten feet away from the home and any other nearby buildings. Douse and saturate the ashes with water. Never shovel ashes directly into a paper bag, cardboard box or plastic container, as many home fires have started when hot embers ignited one of these combustible containers.
• Be prepared by installing a multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher within easy reach of the stove. Using water on a hot stove can result in severe stove damage or even an explosion.
• Have an evacuation plan ready and practice it with all members of your household.
• The warning signs of a chimney fire are a loud roar, sucking sounds and shaking pipes. Call 911 immediately if you notice one of these signs.
We hope these tips will help keep you and your family safe during these winter months. If you have any questions or need further information, please call the station at 425-3111 or visit our website at cvfrs.com.