With daylight saving time over and November underway, Finger Lakes residents have a timely reason to check more than their clocks: smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and the equipment they will depend on to heat their homes.
The seasonal safety check goes beyond replacing a battery. It includes checking alarm expiration dates, clearing space around heaters, scheduling chimney inspections and making sure everyone knows how to escape a fire.
Nearly half of home heating equipment fires occur from December through February, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Taking precautions now can help households prepare before the busiest part of heating season.
Test alarms and check their age
The familiar reminder to check alarms when clocks change remains useful, but the right maintenance depends on the device.
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends testing smoke alarms monthly and replacing them 10 years after their manufacture date. For models with replaceable batteries, follow the manufacturer’s replacement instructions. Hardwired alarms may also have backup batteries that require attention.
Sealed, long-life alarms still need monthly testing. Their batteries are not designed to be removed; the entire alarm must be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Smoke alarms should be installed inside every bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home, including the basement. Interconnected alarms provide a warning throughout the house when one activates. Residents who need help obtaining or installing an alarm can contact their fire department’s nonemergency number to ask whether assistance is available.
New York law generally prohibits the sale of standalone, solely battery-operated smoke alarms with removable batteries, requiring sealed batteries designed to last at least 10 years. The law includes exceptions for certain systems and devices.
Carbon monoxide alarms need attention, too. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends installing them on every level and outside sleeping areas, with battery power or battery backup to provide protection during an outage. Test them monthly and follow the manufacturer’s replacement schedule.
Give heaters space and schedule maintenance
Portable heaters can create serious hazards when placed near bedding, furniture or curtains. Federal safety officials recommend keeping them at least 3 feet from anything that can burn and plugging electric models directly into a wall outlet. Extension cords and power strips should never be used.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates portable heaters were involved in an annual average of 1,600 fires, 70 deaths and 150 injuries nationwide from 2020 through 2022. The agency also recommends using battery-powered flashlights or lanterns instead of candles during outages.
Space heaters should be turned off before leaving a room or going to bed. The U.S. Fire Administration advises annual professional cleaning and inspection of heating equipment and chimneys. An oven should never be used to heat a home.
New York’s fire safety guidance also calls for checking chimneys and vents for blockages, corrosion and loose connections. Wood-burning households should burn seasoned hardwood rather than trash, avoid overloading stoves or fireplaces and use a fireplace screen to contain sparks.
Ash disposal deserves care even after a fire appears out. Ashes that seem cool can contain smoldering material. Place them in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid and keep the container outdoors, away from structures.
Carbon monoxide adds an invisible danger
Fuel-burning equipment can produce carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that cannot be seen or smelled. A furnace, fireplace or generator can create a dangerous exposure without a visible fire.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission identifies symptoms of poisoning that can include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness and confusion. Anyone who suspects poisoning should immediately get outside to fresh air and call 911.
If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, Health Canada’s emergency guidance says to leave immediately, call emergency services from outside and remain out until the problem has been addressed by a professional. Do not stay inside to search for the source.
Winter outages require particular caution. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says portable generators must be operated outside, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents. They must never run inside a home, basement or garage, even with doors or windows open.
Charcoal grills and portable camping stoves also belong outdoors. A vehicle should never be left running in an enclosed or partially enclosed garage.
Prepare for holiday cooking and a quick escape
November also brings more activity in the kitchen. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
Stay in the kitchen when frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food. Keep combustible items away from the stovetop and turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
Households should also practice what happens after an alarm sounds. The U.S. Fire Administration warns residents may have less than two minutes to escape a home fire.
Identify two ways out of every room, keep exits clear and choose an outdoor meeting place. Practice the plan with everyone in the household.
The American Red Cross advises residents to get out, stay out and call 911. Never reenter a burning home for belongings, pets or another person; tell arriving firefighters if someone is missing.
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