Today is the first day of winter. Already this week the
temperature has dropped below freezing twice. Some of the
coldest weather of the year will occur during the next three
months. With cold weather comes an increase in the number of
fires due to people trying to stay warm. Here are some simple
fire safety tips for cold weather: Keep anything that can burn,
such as clothing, furniture, mattresses, paper products and the
like, at least three feet away from any type of heat source such
as furnaces, space heaters, fireplaces, stoves and water
heaters. Furnaces (including natural gas/propane or electric)
that have not been used for the last several months will have a
build up of dust and dirt on the heating elements. When the
furnace is used for the first time, this dirt and dust will burn
off, causing a burning smell, a very light haze or white smoke.
This is not harmful and is common. This is just the residue
burning off the elements and it may take several minutes and
maybe three or four uses before it all b