Fire Prevention Information | Keep Safe this Winter

With the colder months upon us, it's crucial to ensure that your home or rental property is equipped with the necessary safety measures to protect you and your loved ones from potential fire hazards. Keep in mind, if you are a registered rental property owner, please practice these safety measures as well.

Smoke Alarms

Please take a moment to ensure that each level of your home or rental property, including bedrooms and hallways, is equipped with a working smoke alarm. Test the alarms monthly and replace the smoke alarm if it is more than 10 years old with a new smoke alarm that has a sealed 10-year battery. Click here for more information on smoke alarms from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be lethal. Ensure that your home or rental property is equipped with carbon monoxide alarms, particularly near sleeping areas. Test these alarms monthly and replace the batteries annually. If you experience symptoms of CO poisoning, such as headaches, dizziness, or nausea, evacuate the premises immediately and contact 911. Click here for more information on carbon monoxide alarms from NFPA.

Winter Fire Safety Tips

• Create and practice a fire escape plan with all members of your household. Make sure everyone knows the designated meeting point outside. Click here for more information on making a home fire escape plan from NFPA.
• Close bedroom doors! During a fire, closed bedroom doors can slow the spread of fire and allow extra moments to get to safety. Use the How-To-Guide at Close Before You Doze to start the fire safety conversation.
• With the holidays upon us, avoid overloading electrical outlets and use surge protectors when needed.
• Check your furnace, fireplace, or space heaters and make sure they are in proper working condition. When using a space heater keep it on a flat stable surface and make sure the heater has an automatic shut-off so if it tips over, it shuts off. Keep flammable materials, such as curtains and furniture, away from heating sources.
• If you use a fireplace, have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional annually to prevent the buildup of creosote, which can lead to chimney fires. Creosote is a sticky, black substance that forms inside the chimney when people use wood for heating. If creosote builds up too much, it can block the chimney, making it hard for the smoke and dangerous gases from the wood-burning fire to escape, leading to poor air quality. Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out and starting a fire.

For questions, contact:

Tom Krueger 
Fire Chief
Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District
847-634-2512 ext. 106
tkrueger@lrfpd.org