As winter approaches and keeping a warm house becomes an ongoing priority, it’s important to protect your home and family from hazardous fire. Following a recent chimney fire in Deep River, Fire Marshal Adam Kerop encouraged local residents to take stay safe by taking action to prevent fires from all kinds of heat sources.

These recommended fire safety measures are:

• Make sure there are smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors on every level in your home and inside every bedroom. It’s best to use interconnected detectors when possible, which are safer than stand-alone sensors as the alert activates quicker. If an interconnected detector senses smoke or carbon monoxide (CO), every one of the detectors will sound an alarm. Simple hardwired interconnected detectors range from under $60 for a set of six up to hundreds of dollars for units that have voice notifications.

• Test smoke detectors once a month and change the batteries twice a year. All detectors should be less than 10 years old. Homes with fuel-burning appliances including furnaces, heaters and wood stoves should have a CO detector in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level. Many smoke detectors now have the combined function of also being a CO monitor.

• Have a home fire escape plan with an outside meeting place and practice the strategy with children. The National Fire Protection Association suggests drawing the plan with children and marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. For more fire prevention and escape tips, visit NFPA.org.

• All chimney and flue pipes should be inspected and cleaned every year. Animal nests may cause a spark that can set the chimney on fire.

• Fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces and water heaters should be cleaned and serviced every year by a professional. The servicing can include flushing the tank and checking pressure valves.

• Move furniture and other items that can burn at least three feet from fireplaces, wood stoves, and heaters. It is also essential that nothing be placed in front of the heat source that could block the flow of air.

• When removing ashes from a fireplace or wood stove, always use a metal container and dump the ashes away from anything that can burn.

• Always use caution with portable space heaters. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and do not use extension cords. Only use heaters that are approved by a national testing laboratory with tip-over and overheat protection.

For more information on fire safety, visit www.nfpa.org