As the leaves slowly change colour, we’re reminded that the warm weather is slipping away and soon enough, winter will be upon us.
With winter comes cold temperatures and with cold temperatures comes heat.
Here are a few pointers to get you ready for making your home toasty warm.
If you use a wood stove to heat your home, one of the most important factors is making sure that the stove pipes and chimney are clear of any debris or creosote.
Shawville-Clarendon Fire Chief Lee Laframboise said that if you use wood, make sure to use dry wood. Green wood emits larger amounts of creosote when it is burned compared to dry wood.
Creosote is a chemical mass of carbon that forms when fossil fuels, wood or tar is burned. It can build up in chimneys and pose a severe fire risk.
It typically takes anywhere from six months to one year before cut wood gets a low enough moisture content.
Another area of concern for firefighters is the clutter that can often accumulate next to baseboard heaters after a long summer.
In fact, I had quite the surprise last year when a pair of my Nike sneakers had what looked like Adidas stripes down the side of them thanks to the baseboard heater next to my front door.
When it comes to your furnace, make sure to check the filters. Dust can build up on these and pose a fire risk as well.
Apart from heating your home, this time of year comes with the dreaded leaf piles after hours of raking.
Many folks choose to burn their leaves, which Laframboise said can pose a risk.
One of the most important pieces of equipment when it comes to fire safety is a functioning smoke detector.
Laframboise said the department has been tasked with checking smoke detectors every five years and he said it’s time for those checks to start ramping up.
He said it’s often difficult to check every home since many people aren’t around when the fire department comes by and others reluctant to let them in.
Laframboise said it would be a huge help to the department if people reached out to make appointments. You can contact him at the fire department at 819-647-3837 or email him at scfd@town.shawville.qc.ca.
Chris Lowrey
