VALDOSTA – The Valdosta Fire Department has issued a list of safety tips for the use of fireplaces and heaters during cold weather.

December, January, February and March are the leading months for fires in the United States.

General heating-related messages; Fireplaces

• Have a three-foot kid-free zone around open fires.
• Use a sturdy metal screen around the appliance to prevent contact burns which are even more common than fire injuries.
• All heaters need space. Keep things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from equipment.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms inside your home to provide early warning of carbon monoxide, and be sure to have operating smoke detectors.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys, by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional; inspection needs to address creosote build-up in chimneys.
• Allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose of ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep the ash container at least 10 feet away from the home and any other nearby buildings.
• Use only newspaper and kindling wood or fire starters to start a fire. Never use flammable liquids, such as lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline to start a fire.