Municipal Affairs and Environment
February 28, 2017

Public Advisory: Winter Safety

The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment, Fire and Emergency Services would like to advise the public of some winter safety tips for residents and business owners.

• During and after snowfall, ensure the exhaust vents for dryers, furnaces, fireplaces and air exchangers are clear;
• All windows and doors should be cleared of snow as these are escape routes in case of a fire;
• Never try to thaw frozen pipes with a blow torch, welding machine or open flame;
• Only use hot water or a certified device such as a handheld dryer for thawing;
• Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away as possible from your house;
• Never use a barbecue or other fuel-burning appliance inside a home, garage or vehicle as carbon monoxide can build up in these appliances which can lead to serious injury or death;
• Install a carbon monoxide detector and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to install, test and use the detector; and
• Plug only one heat-producing appliance (such as a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.

Does the public use your building?

• All exits of a business, municipal building and recreation facility must be accessible and free of ice and snow; and
• All emergency exits must open freely with a path cleared to an open space such as a road or parking lot.

Did you know?

• Half of all home heating fires occur in the months of December, January and February;
• Heating equipment is involved in one in every six reported home fires and one in every five home deaths; and
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, or space heaters.

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Media contact:

Lynn Robinson Media Relations Manager Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment 709-729-5449, 691-9466 lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca

2017 02 28                              11:45 a.m.