10/18/2026
🍂🔥 FALL FIRE SAFETY REMINDER FROM RICHFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT! 🚒
As temperatures begin to drop and we start turning on our furnaces, space heaters, and fireplaces, the Richfield Fire Department wants to remind everyone to take a few extra precautions to keep their homes and families safe this fall and winter!
🔥 SPACE HEATERS
* Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from furniture, curtains, blankets, and anything that can burn.
* Never plug a space heater into a power strip or extension cord. Always plug it directly into a wall outlet.
* Turn heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
* Never leave space heaters unattended around children or pets.
🏠 FURNACES & HEATING SYSTEMS
* Have your furnace inspected and serviced annually by a qualified technician.
* Replace furnace filters regularly.
* Keep storage items and combustible materials away from furnaces and heating equipment.
* Make sure furnace exhaust vents are clear of debris, leaves, and snow.
⚡ POWER STRIPS & ELECTRICAL SAFETY
* Never plug space heaters or other high-wattage heating appliances into power strips.
* Avoid overloading outlets and extension cords.
* Never connect multiple power strips together.
* Replace damaged cords and outlets immediately.
* Remember, power strips do not increase the amount of electricity an outlet can safely supply!
🔥 FIREPLACES & WOOD STOVES
* Have chimneys and fireplaces inspected and cleaned annually.
* Always use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from escaping.
* Burn only properly seasoned firewood.
* Never leave a fire unattended.
* Dispose of ashes in a metal container with a lid, stored outdoors away from buildings and combustible materials.
⚠️ NATURAL GAS & CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY
* If you smell rotten eggs or suspect a natural gas leak, leave the building immediately!
* Do NOT operate light switches, electrical devices, or anything that could create a spark.
* Once safely outside and away from the building, call 911 or your natural gas utility’s emergency number.
* Never use your oven or stove to heat your home.
* Install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.
* Remember, carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and can be deadly!
🚨 SMOKE & CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS SAVE LIVES!
We do offer FREE home saftey inspections and FREE SMOKE detectors for those who qualify.
Test your alarms monthly, replace batteries when needed, and make sure your family has a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room.
🍁 A little prevention now can prevent a tragedy later!
As we head into the colder months, the men and women of the Richfield Fire Department encourage everyone to take a few minutes to inspect their heating equipment and review these important safety tips.
Stay warm, stay safe, and help us keep our community fire-safe this fall! 🚒🍂