Chief Dizney offers fire safety tips

By SHARON KIESEL

As the cool, crisp days of fall increase, many people are using space heaters to keep warm before the furnaces are turned on for the winter. That use, along with the extra lighting for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, expands the use of extension cords.

Chief Dizney encourages everyone to be extra cautious when using the cords. Never use a lightweight cord on a heavy duty appliances, such as space heaters. The heaters should not be on an extension cord at all, unless the cord is made of heavy duty, extra gauge wire made for heavy equipment usage. Always check all extension cords before using to make sure the coating is not worn or wires are exposed. Never lay an extension cord under a rug, use it coiled up, or leave it where it can get pinched by something such as a piece of furniture or a door. A little extra caution before using extension cords can save a lot of heartache later.

Pictured: Chief Dizney talks to R-III third graders about the thermal imaging camera during Fire Safety Week. The camera is designed to help firefighters see through smoke to find people in a fire.

submitted photo