At EANDC, we are committed to providing safe, affordable homes for the community — and we recognize that home safety starts with you. The following tips and suggestions will help keep your home and family safe, especially in the winter months when heating units cause an increased risk of fire.
In November of 2022, Akron City Council passed an ordinance requiring Carbon Monoxide detectors in all homes and apartments that use fuel-burning appliances. When the city announced the decision, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Clarence Tucker said, This ordinance helps us better protect Akron residents by not only requiring detectors in residential buildings but also bringing this issue to the forefront so we can educate residents about the dangers of not having a detector in their home.”
Thank you to our community partners at the Akron Fire Department for all their efforts to protect lives in our community. The list below is based on their Preventing Fires in the Home: Fire Safety Checklist and printed copies of their fire safety brochure are available in the EANDC lobby at 550 South Arlington, Akron, OH 44306.
1. Pay Attention to Fire Safety In the Kitchen
Most home fires are caused by cooking. Please share the steps below with your family to prevent a cooking fire in your home:
Stay in the kitchen when you are frying food
If you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off
Keep things that can burn (paper towels, etc.) away from your cooking area
Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so they won’t get bumped
Keep children away from the stovetop and oven
2. Heat Your Home Safely When the Temperatures Drop
Please reach out to the maintenance department or landlord right away if you rent an apartment or home and have any concerns about the heat. Winter heating is the second leading cause of home fires, but you can keep your home and family safe with these safety tips:
Portable heaters should not be used as the main source of heat in your home
Keep children and anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from wood stoves, portable heaters, fireplaces, and radiators
When you leave a room to go to bed, turn heaters off or unplug them
Have your furnace, chimney, and chimney connector inspected and cleaned regularly
3. Install Smoke Alarms and Check Batteries Regularly
The following smoke alarm recommendations could help keep your home and family safe:
Smoke alarms should be on every level of the house
Smoke alarms should be in sleeping areas and in main hallways
Change smoke alarm batteries as needed
All smoke alarms should be less than ten years old
4. Know the Risks of Space Heaters and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
“Carbon monoxide is commonly known as the 'silent killer' because it's colorless, odorless, tasteless, and in most cases non-irritating," says Akron’s Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Clarence Tucker. “If you don't catch the early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning (headache, dizziness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion), it's quite possible that you may lose consciousness before being able to call for help and then it may be too late.”
Unvented space heaters in the home are the most common source of CO poisoning. An unvented space heater puts the gas from fuel or gasoline into the room instead of outdoors. Heaters used regularly inside the home should have the following:
A “tip over” switch that shuts the unit down if it falls over
Overheat protection that shuts the unit off if it gets too hot
A thermostat that monitors room temperature, turning the unit off and on automatically
For combustion units, a low-oxygen sensor that shuts the heater off before a room loses too much oxygen
For electric heaters, pay attention to any damaged or fraying cords, especially if you have pets in the house that might chew cords
A carbon monoxide detector can help protect your home and family. Carbon monoxide detectors are also recommended for all homes. One should be on each level of your house. These should be less than seven years old to ensure they pick up dangerous gas.
5. How to Use Candles Safely
Cold winter days are when people want to snuggle up with a warm blanket and candle. Unfortunately, using an open flame always comes with fire risks, so keep in mind the following suggestions for safe home candle use.
Do not light candles for longer than 4 hours and let them return to room temperature before relighting the wick
Candles should only be used while an adult is present
Any candles should be in sturdy, fireproof containers that can’t be tipped over
Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed
Pets and children should not be left alone with burning candles