OHIO — As temperatures are expected to dip below freezing in the next couple days, there’s no better place than inside your heated home, perhaps with a cup of hot chocolate.
The Lakewood Fire Department has released a checklist for how to keep your home warm and safe during the colder times of the year. Their tips include:
Ensure your furnace has been inspected and serviced within the last year.
Ensure your chimney and vents have been cleaned and inspected, as fires can be caused by built up creosote.
If you have a fireplace, make sure you use dry, seasoned wood.
Make sure the screen for your fireplace is made of good-condition metal or heat-tempered glass and is positioned securely.
Keep children a minimum of three feet away from fireplaces, stoves and space heaters.
If you’re using a space heater, ensure it has an automatic shut-off.
Space heaters should not be plugged into a power strip or extension cord and should be spaced three feet or more away from flammable material.
Make sure all smoke alarms are tested and are in working order.
Carbon monoxide alarms should also be tested.
Spectrum News 1 will continue to provide winter weather updates and forecasts throughout the winter months.