Cedar Rapids Today

City of Marion recently issued the following announcement.

We live in the Midwest, so we know the winter drill. Four to six months of wearing your winter hat, mittens and heavy coat, seeing your breath when you step outside and freezing temperatures. Old Man Winter will drop in for several unexpected visits. Beyond the inconvenience and discomfort, a winter storm or other severe weather conditions can cause real problems.

It’s important to think about fire safety during the winter months. Did you know that there are more home fires in winter than in any other season? Half of all home heating fires happen in December, January and February.

This winter season, be fire smart! Know what to do before, during and after a storm. Here are a few tips from the Marion Fire Department to help keep you and your family safe from a winter fire:

• Test all smoke alarms. Do this at least once a month. Install carbon monoxide alarms in your home and test these alarms as well.
• Plan two ways out of the home in case of an emergency. Clear the driveway and front walk of ice and snow. This will provide easy access to your home.
• Make sure your house number can be seen from the street. If you need help, firefighters will be able to find you.
• Be ready in case the power goes out. Have flashlights on hand. Also, have battery-powered lighting and fresh batteries. Never use candles.
• Stay aware of winter weather. Listen to the television or radio for updates. Watch for bulletins online.
• Check on neighbors. Check on others who may need help.
• Generators should be used outdoors. Keep them away from windows and doors. Do not run a generator inside your garage, even if the door is open.
• Stay away from downed wires. Report any downed wires to authorities.
• Be ready if the heat stops working. Use extra layers of clothes and blankets to stay warm. If you use an emergency heat source, keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away.
• Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room. Turn them off when you go to bed.

Keep Your Furnace Intake Pipes Clear

As winter approaches, the Building Inspection Division is reminding homeowners to be safety-minded and remember to clear drifted snow away from furnace intake pipes. Keeping snow and ice away from a furnace’s fresh-air intake pipes, which typically are two white plastic pipes that come out of the side of a house, is important to ensure proper operation and guard against the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning. Snow can also build up on flat or low-pitched roofs, so residents living in a mobile home or similar house should work to clear snow off their roofs, which is typically where the fresh-air intake pipes for furnaces are located on those types of residences.

Original source can be found here.