As the air turns cooler and leaves drop from the trees, it's important to keep a few important fall safety tips in mind. With proper precautions and safety awareness, your family can enjoy that crisp autumn whether while avoiding some of the dangers that come with the season.

When the weather turns cold most people spend more time inside their homes using fireplaces, furnaces, and heaters to keep warm. There's nothing quite as cozy as a fire, but it presents some safety hazards. Keep these tips in mind.

Service Your Furnace

Before the cold autumn and winter weather sets in, be sure to call your heating and cooling company to service your furnace. A specialist should inspect the furnace to make sure everything is in working order and that there are no leaks.

Use Fireplaces Safely

Fireplaces and chimneys should be inspected annually.  It is not safe to  burn garbage, rolled newspaper, charcoal or plastic inside the fireplace.  Never use gasoline or any other liquid accelerant to start a fire.  One the fire is going, keep that fire in its proper place by using a fireplace screen to keep sparks from flying out of the fireplace. Never leave a burning fire unattended, and make sure a fire in a fireplace is completely out before going to bed. Keep children away from the fire. 

Use Caution with Space Heaters

A space heater can be an effective way to warm up a chilly room, but it's essential you follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to safely use the heater.  Place it on a level, hard, nonflammable surface.  Turn the space heater off when you leave the room or go to sleep.  Keep children and pets away from your space heater and do not use it to dry wet clothing. Always allow at least three feet of empty area around space heaters. Never use your stove or oven to heat your home; only use space heaters that are approved for this purpose.

No Leaf Burning

The Fort Wayne Fire Department reminds you there is no open burning within city limits. Leaves and other yard waste should be disposed of properly. Visit the City of Fort Wayne website to view the leaf pick-up schedule.

Exercise Candle Caution

Candles are a great way to give a room that warm glow, but they can also cause fires. Never leave candles burning if you go out or go to sleep. It is a good idea to consider placement of lit candles. Be sure candles are placed on a solid surface and away anything low hanging. Keep your candles up and away from pets and kids. 

Change Smoke Alarm Batteries

Change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when you turn back your clocks for Daylight Saving Time. Make sure to check the alarms with the new batteries installed. Check and replace any home fire extinguishers that have expired.

 

There's nothing more beautiful than a fall drive, but this season brings some unique hazards for drivers. Being aware of these potential dangers can help keep you and your family safe and prevent accidents.

Be Aware of Poor Visibility

Falling leaves, while beautiful, can obscure your vision, as can rain and fog. Shorter days are part of the fall season, making it more difficult to see children playing or people walking and riding bicycles. Be aware of limitations in your visibility, and slow down if you can't see well. Use your dimmed headlights in bad weather with decreased visibility. If possible, try not to be on the roads when it's hard to see.

Watch for Children

Children love to play in piles of leaves, so use extra caution where leaves are piled at curbside. In addition, the school bus will be making its rounds now that school is back in session. It's important to stay vigilant as a driver.

Slow Down on Wet Pavement

If it's raining or the roadways are wet, keep a safe distance from the car in front of you. Wet roads make it more difficult to stop. When wet leaves are on roadways, they make the pavement slippery, and it can be difficult for drivers to get good traction.

Be Prepared for Bright Sunlight

When sunrise occurs later in the morning, it can also present challenges for drivers. Have a pair of sunglasses in the vehicle to wear when the sun is bright is a good strategy. If it becomes too difficult to see because of bright sunlight or glare, a good strategy is for the driver to pull over until he or she can see again.

Watch Out for Ice

As the temperatures drop further at night, a driver will need to spend some extra time in the morning scraping frost off his or her vehicle. Shady spots on the roadway may be home to black ice, which a driver may not be aware of until his or her car starts to skid on it.