In the month of November, there were at least three house fires.

On Nov. 15, two different houses in Leon had chimney fires and on Nov. 24, a faulty wood boiler destroyed a house in Ellery.

As the temperatures drop, more and more chimneys and heaters are being used. The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York offers the following safety tips when using the following heating methods:

PORTABLE SPACE HEATERS

Never leave a portable space heater in a room unattended, and always follow manufacturer’s instructions for proper use and maintenance.

Use space heaters for a limited time each day.

Never connect a space heater to an outlet with an extension cord.

Unplug the unit when not in use.  Let it cool down prior to storing the unit.

Keep a window ajar or the door open in a room where an unvented heater is in use.

Never use heaters to dry clothing or other combustibles.

FIREPLACES

Make sure the flue is open before using a fireplace for the first time this season.

Remove any and all obstructions and debris from your chimney. Obstructions will cause carbon monoxide to back up into your home.

Never leave a fireplace unattended.

Chimneys and vents should be inspected and cleaned annually.

Take care when stoking a fire.  Do not burn newspapers or trash in a fireplace. Doing so may ignite a chimney fire or send flaming embers into your home, causing fire.

GAS OR ELECTRIC

FURNACES

If smoke emanating from the furnace turns black and the furnace starts to rumble, leave the building immediately, and call your local fire department.

All heating units should be tuned up by a professional certified technician. Regular inspections and cleanings of your heating system help to ensure maximum efficiency during the winter months.

COAL AND WOOD BURNING STOVES

Use coal only if specifically approved by the stove manufacturer. Gasoline or other flammable liquids should never be used to start a wood fire.

Also, a reminder to test your home smoke alarms at least once per month. Do this by pressing the “test” button on the unit. If you do not have one already installed, install a carbon monoxide detector to detect production of potentially lethal carbon monoxide by gas fireplaces, gas stoves, barbecues, gas furnaces.

Let’s do our best to stay warm and safe this winter.