Bancroft Deputy Fire Chief Matt Musclow says that the constant fires they’ve had to deal with since Boxing Day show why you should change your smoke alarm batteries when you change your clocks.
He called the fires nearly non-stop over the winter and is urging people to identify hazards and remain diligent about fire safety. In particular, Musclow is urging people to smoke outside, and if they can’t, to use an ashtray or metal bucket and make sure ashes are fully extinguished. He says it is vital to make sure you have working fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and an escape plan, as people now only have minutes to escape a home when it catches fire.
In addition to checking the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, Musclow urges people to make sure their heating appliance exhausts are clear of debris and ice. He says plugged exhausts can lead to overheating, or carbon monoxide buildup. In addition, if you haven’t this winter, make sure chimneys for wood-burning stoves are clean.