Photo: Jake Underwood
CLEVELAND – Whether staying warm or celebrating the holidays, Cleveland Firefighters want residents to be safe this winter. On Thursday afternoon Cleveland Fire offered some tips for everyone to follow. The event was held at the Western Reserve Fire Museum and Education Center at 310 Carnegie Ave.
“Fire prevention is an important part of our mission,” said Cleveland Fire Chief Anthony Luke. “We hope this information will help to keep residents safe during the holidays this winter.”
Electrical Safety—Extension cords should only be used temporarily. Never run an electric cable under a carpet or a doorway where it may get worn. When stringing holiday lights, check their cords for damage.
Space heaters need space. Make sure space heaters are 3' away from anything flammable (paper, furniture, blankets, drapes), and ensure space heaters are turned off or unplugged when not in use.
Never plug a space heater or any heat-producing appliance (coffee maker, microwave, toaster, etc.) into an extension cord. They should be plugged directly into a grounded wall outlet.
Cooking Safety—Thanksgiving and Christmas are busy days for cooking fires. Stay home if you are baking, and stay in the kitchen using the burners on top of the stove. Make sure children know that the oven is hot and not to touch. Keep children and pets out of the kitchen while you are cooking.
Holidays—Keep your live Christmas tree watered to prevent it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. If your holiday celebrations include candles, be careful and never leave a lit candle unattended.
If you need a smoke detector and can not afford one, the City of Cleveland offers free smoke detectors at 216 -361-5535.
The Red Cross provides the same service if you are in the surrounding suburbs.
About the Cleveland Division of Fire
The Cleveland Division of Fire has served the residents of Cleveland, Ohio, for over 150 Years! The Division’s core values center on protecting lives, property, and the environment through preparedness, prevention, public education, and emergency response; we emphasize quality services delivered efficiently, effectively, and safely.
For more information on the Cleveland Division of Fire, visit online at www.city.cleveland.oh.us or on Facebook/CLEFIREdept, Twitter @clevelandfire.
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