It is home heating season again, and people need to take steps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and fires in their homes.

The Douglas Fire Department is advising the public of the need to have a professional inspection of all fuel burning heating systems, including furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, wood stoves, water heaters, chimneys, flues and vents.

Protect your family this winter. The best way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is to have a professional inspection every year and install working carbon monoxide "CO" alarms in your home. This prepared statement was made by Nancy Nord acting chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):

Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. This colorless, odorless, poisonous gas kills nearly 500 U.S. residents each year, five times as many as West Nile Virus. Dr. Howard Frumkin, Director of the CDC National Center for Environmental Health, said in a prepared statement.

Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a persistent and tragic public heath problem that can be eliminated if people become aware of the danger and take some simple steps to protect themselves, their families and their pets.

Heating systems are the leading cause of CO poisoning in the United States, followed by vehicles that are left running in garages. Gasoline - powered generators that are used during power outages are another source of CO poisoning.

Each year, at least 15,000 Americans suffer from accidental CO exposure, according to the CDC, Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. Extended exposure can lead to loss of consciousness and death. People who are asleep or intoxicated can die from CO poisoning without experiencing any symptoms.

The CPCS also noted that home heating equipment is the second most common cause of residential fires. Cooking fires are the leading cause. Portable heaters, including space heaters, are the top cause of deaths in home heating equipment related fires,

Chimneys and fireplaces are the leading sources of home heating equipment fires, accounting for about 60 percent of the nearly 36,000 estimated home heating equipment fires in the United States each year.

DFD offers the following safety tips:

ˆ Have heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.

ˆ Install battery - operated CO and smoke alarms in your home.

ˆ Place CO alarms outside the bedrooms and in each separate sleeping area.

ˆ Place smoke alarms on each level of the house and inside every bedroom.

ˆ Replace smoke and CO alarm batteries yearly during daylight saving time and check the batteries monthly.

ˆ If a smoke or CO alarm sounds, leave your home immediately and call 911.

ˆ Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect CO poisoning are feeling dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous.

Chimney Safety:

ˆ Have flues or chimneys inspected before each heating season for leakage and blockage by creosote or debris.

ˆ Open the fireplace damper before you light a fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. NEVER CLOSE THE DAMPER IF THE ASHES ARE WARM.

ˆ Install I chimney cap to keep debris and animals out of the chimney

ˆ Keep the top of chimney clear of tree limbs or debris

ˆ Choose well-seasoned wood that has been dried for a minimum of six month to a year and stored properly

ˆ Build it right. Place firewood or fire logs at the rear of the fireplace on a supporting grate. To start the fire, use a firelighter

ˆ Do not use coal or charcoal in a fireplace because of the danger of carbon monoxide buildup.

ˆ Do not burn trash or gift wrap in the fireplace because polystyrene foam and other coated materials can generate deadly fumes. Flying paper embers could also ignite the roof.

ˆ Do not treat artificial logs like real logs. Artificial logs are usually made of sawdust and wax and have special burning properties. Be sure to read the instructions on the logs and follow them carefully.

ˆ Home rolled newspaper logs should never be soaked in flammable fuel of any kind because of the severe danger of explosion.

ˆ Do not overload the fireplace. Large fires can lead to overheating of wall or roof materials, particularly if the fireplace is constructed of metal.

ˆ Always use screen around the fireplace to keep sparks form flying out and to protect children and adults from accidental clothing ignition.

ˆ Warn children about the danger of fire. Do not let them play with fire.

ˆ Keep flammable materials such as carpets, pillows, furniture or papers away from the fireplace area.

ˆ At holiday time, make sure the Christmas tree is not close enough to be ignited by a spark. Be especially careful of accidentally igniting holiday wrapping papers.

ˆ Always make sure that the fire is completely extinguished before going to bed for the night or when leaving the house.

The public is asked to call the Douglas Fire Department at 364-2481for any questions on safety tips around the home.

We hope our citizens enjoy a safe holiday season.