The Stamford Advocate on Avoiding Tragedy

Hats off to the Advocate on pits editorial to help prevent a tragedy as occurred on Christmas day.


Here's a summary:

1. Be sure to have smoke detectors that are operative. Place one in each room, replace them every 10 years and change the batteries every six months.

2. Install carbon monoxide detectors in homes that use natural gas and heating oil for heat.

3. Have a certified contractor inspect your fireplace once a year.

4. When the fire goes out in the fireplace, leave the ashes there "with the flue open and close and latch the glass doors. The ashes could still be hot the next day and the day after that. When you remove them, put them in the metal can {i.e. invest in a metal can with a lid}even if they are cold. Don't dispose of them anywhere near the house or vegetation, and if you can, pour water on them after you dump them." (Quote from Assistant Fire Marshal Robert Sollitto of the Stamford Fire & Rescue Department."

Here's the link to the editorial: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Take-steps-to-prevent-tragedy-2441697.php