Fire Safety
Newport News Fire Department encourages everyone to have working smoke alarms in their homes and a home escape plan. Smoke alarms should be replaced about every 10 years and tested monthly. Kitchen fires are the most common fire in Newport News. Here are some tips to be safe in your home:
- Never leave cooking unattended
- Inspect your home for hazards that could cause a fire
- Make sure matches and lighters are kept away from children
- Allow at least 3 feet of space around space heaters
- Have a qualified inspector check your furnace and chimney
- Clean out your dryer vents!
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
According to the United States Fire Administration, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning claims more than 50 lives and sends another 15,200 people to the emergency room for treatment each year. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and toxic gas that can kill you before you are aware that it is in your home. At low levels, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for flu. CO gas can come from gas-fired appliances, charcoal grills, wood-burning furnaces, fireplaces, or motor vehicles. To protect your family, you should:
- Install carbon monoxide detector(s) in your home
- Have a qualified technician inspect heating and cooking systems
- Never keep a car running in a garage
- Never use the range or oven to heat your home
- Do not use charcoal grills in your home
For more information on fire safety and protecting yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning, please visit the U.S. Fire Administration website.