For The Reporter

Fall is officially here and we’re starting to see the change of seasons. Leaves are turning, days are shorter, and the nights are getting a little chilly.

One of the things that happens when the weather turns colder is that home heating systems come on for the first time since last winter.

Are you ready for that?

Here are some tips that will help protect your family as we transition into the fall and winter seasons.

• Have your furnace system inspected and serviced by a licensed professional. This including looking at the exhaust vent that leads to the outside of the house. Insects, birds, and other animals can create blockages that can force carbon monoxide from gas furnaces back into the home.

• Have chimney and wood stove flues inspected for creosote buildup which can limit the escape of smoke and can lead to a chimney fire.

• Dispose of fireplace ashes properly by placing them in a tightly sealed metal container. Do not store the container near combustibles such as a deck, house, or fence. Hot coals in ashes can retain their heat for several days after being removed and should never be stored in a paper or plastic bag.

• Move combustibles such as clothing, bedding, and drapes away from baseboard and other electric heaters.

• Plug portable heaters directly into wall outlets. Using extension cords can lead to overheating and fires.

Also remember to having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Change the batteries when you change your clocks to standard time on the first Sunday of November.