Current Events

BIG BEAR LAKE, CALIF/October 20, 2020 – Big Bear Fire Department has some “Hot Tips for Cold Weather” to ensure safe winter heating. With the change in seasons in Big Bear Valley comes the need to warm our homes and businesses. Stay warm and safe during the winter months by following some simple tips.

Conventional Heating: Have a professional check and service your heating system each year. Always keep combustibles away from heat sources. Check the manufacturer’s specifications for clearance distances.

Portable Heaters: Purchase only those heaters bearing the seal of Underwriters Laboratory (UL), Factory Mutual (FM) or another nationally recognized testing laboratory. Always use heating appliances according to manufacturer’s specifications. Make sure electric cords are in good condition. Never leave a portable heater on when unattended and never use an oven to heat your home; it can introduce poisonous carbon monoxide within your home.

Wood-Burning Stoves, Fireplaces, and Fireplace Inserts: Burn only dry, well-seasoned wood. Make sure the damper is open prior to lighting. Never use flammable liquids or excessive amounts of paper to start or accelerate a fire. Keep a metal or glass screen in front of fireplace or stove openings and never leave a fire unattended. Have wood-burning stoves or fireplaces inspected and cleaned by a professional on an annual basis.

Smoke Detectors: Install and regularly maintain smoke detectors in the home per manufacturer’s instructions. Smoke detectors should provide coverage of sleeping areas and each level of the home. Test smoke detectors on a monthly basis and change the batteries twice a year. A good reminder is to do it when the time changes in the fall and spring.

Disposal of Ashes: Always dispose of ashes by placing them in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Never put ashes in paper bags or cardboard boxes. Ashes can retain heat, making them capable of igniting a fire for several days. Ashes should be thoroughly soaked to ensure they are extinguished. If ashes are disposed of at a public dumpsite, do not put them in the trash receptacle, but in the dumpster marked for ashes only.

Carbon Monoxide Safety: Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas, producing flu-like symptoms in its victims. Symptoms include severe headaches, dizziness, mental confusion, nausea and faintness. If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, get fresh air immediately and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed in the home, near sleeping areas, and at the home’s conventional heating source. For proper operation, detectors should be installed and maintained per manufacturer’s instructions.

In the unfortunate event of a fire, have an established family home escape plan. Know two ways out of every room. Establish a safe meeting place outside of the home. After safety has been reached call 9-1-1 to report the fire. Once out, never go back inside.

For additional information on this or other fire and life safety topics, contact Big Bear Fire Department at www.bigbearfire.org or (909) 866-7566.

BIG BEAR LAKE, CALIF/October 14, 2020 – Cool fall weather has arrived, winter is fast approaching, and Big Bear Fire Department encourages everyone to practice safe winter heating. Big Bear Valley residents and tourists alike will soon be lighting pilot lights and finding other ways to keep warm during the chill of the season. When not functioning properly, the heating appliances that are keeping us warm, can turn deadly quickly.

“Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless and can kill its victims while they’re sleeping. People don’t realize they are being poisoned,” according to Mike Maltby, Assistant Chief with Big Bear Fire Department. “The best way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is to have gas-fed, flame producing appliances serviced annually by a professional, in addition to installing carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.”

Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that produces flu-like symptoms in its victims such as severe headaches, dizziness, mental confusion, nausea and/or faintness. If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, get fresh air immediately, call 9-1-1 and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

California state law requires CO detectors be placed in the home outside sleeping areas, as well as on each level of the home. It is better to be safe than sorry. If there is a question on the number of CO detectors required, error on the side of more. CO detectors are fairly inexpensive and can be purchased locally.

CO detectors should be installed and maintained per manufacturer’s instructions. Generally, they can be installed on a wall or a ceiling. However, they should not be on the wall within 6 inches of the ceiling. This “pocket” is considered dead air that does not circulate well with the rest of the air in the house. It is also a good idea to place detectors near the home’s conventional heating source.

CO detectors should be tested monthly and replaced every 5–7 years. Purchase only those detectors bearing the seal of Underwriters Laboratory (UL).

Other ways to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning include visually inspecting your water heater, furnace and clothes dryer flues for signs of damage or obstruction. Birds and squirrels are known for building nests or hiding food in in the exhaust flues. This can prevent proper drafting of exhaust gases. Also, never use barbecues indoors. Charcoal gives off a lethal amount of carbon monoxide that is normally dissipated in the outdoor air. Kerosene and propane heaters can also produce these deadly gases and are prohibited from use in the home.

For additional information on this or other fire and life safety topics, contact Big Bear Fire Department at www.bigbearfire.org or (909) 866-7566.