Safety Spotlight 

This first Safety Spotlight highlights three ways to make sure your home is fire safe in the winter. First, make sure you have a working smoke detector in your home. If it's not hardwired into your electrical system, be sure to regularly replace the batteries so it works when you need it to.

Second, make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home. Carbon monoxide (CO) is colorless, odorless, and deadly. The only way to detect CO is with a carbon monoxide detector. Third, if you have a wood-burning stove in your home, make sure to dispose of the ashes properly. Dispose of wood ashes in a metal container that can be tightly closed, douse it with water, and place the closed container outside your home away from wood decks, buildings, or other combustible materials. 

 For more information about seasonal safety during the winter, check out the Division of Fire Safety on the Vermont Department of Public Safety's website here: https://firesafety.vermont.gov/pubed/media/seasonal  

During the winter months when snow accumulates around our homes, remember to keep exhaust vents clear from the snow build-up. Regularly check furnace, pellet stove, and dryer vents for snow build-up and debris that may block harmful exhaust from venting properly. Blocked vents can cause fires and trap harmful carbon monoxide gas inside your home. Keeping vents clear helps keep you and our community safe.  

 Did you know most wildfires in Vermont happen between March and June? The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag warning for parts of Vermont and New York. This means our area is at an increased risk for brush and wildfires. During this time, it's extra important to practice good outdoor fire safety.

One way to prevent accidental wildfires is to allow debris and leaves to compost naturally. Burning brush and leaves during Vermont's spring fire season can spark devastating wildfires that can spread easily along the dry forest floor. In addition to being the fire-safe choice, composting leaves and lawn clippings give back vital nutrients to our ecosystem.  

Don't let natural resources go up in smoke!  To learn more about how you can protect our community from wildfires, check out the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Forests – Parks and Recreation for more information on Vermont's fire seasons. 

Also, check out the Division of Fire Safety's page on the Vermont Department of Public Safety's website for other helpful fire safety resources.