| When three people were injured early on July 4th | | | | that could set the entire house on fire in no time. |
| because of a fireplace spark, it reminds us all that | | | | If you are outside on the porch with friends or |
| fireplaces can still be dangerous. Every year, more | | | | family while the fire simmers in the fireplace, you |
| people are hurt because of fireplace hazards. | | | | could soon find your home burning down behind |
| Paying closer attention to fireplace safety just | | | | you and it will take more than a glass of water to |
| might save a life in your family one day. | | | | put out the flame. |
| Early in the morning on July 4th, a spark | | | | But if you've had a roaring fire for a quiet evening |
| miraculously jumped from the fireplace to the | | | | at home and you find yourself going out long |
| couch in a Niagara County, New York home. | | | | before the last ember in your fireplace does, a |
| Waking up to smoke and fire, the occupants | | | | screen that covers the entire opening will keep |
| Barbara and Robert Dobosz attempted to douse | | | | sparks from jumping out and will cut oxygen to |
| the fire with water until rescue workers arrived. | | | | the fire. Only then would I consider going to sleep |
| Barbara and Robert suffered burns to their hands. | | | | with a fire in my home. If you don't have a |
| But, Sherriff's Deputy Ray Needle wasn't so lucky. | | | | fireplace screen, then try spraying your fire with |
| Responding to the call, Deputy Needle entered the | | | | water until the last ember has died. |
| home to secure the safety of the occupants. He | | | | If you fill a spray bottle with water, you don't |
| fell down a set of stairs and suffered a broken | | | | have to pour gross amounts water on the fire |
| leg for which he was treated at the Eastern | | | | and possibly damage a rug or make a mess. The |
| Niagara Regional Hospital. | | | | water bottle will douse the fire with an |
| Even the Deputy's broken leg would be a | | | | appropriate amount of water and you'll be able to |
| demonstration to us how fire hazards put others | | | | rest at night knowing that your home is safe. |
| in danger. So, to avoid waking up to smoke and | | | | Of course, the safest fireplace experience is the |
| fire caused by sparks from your fireplace there | | | | gel fuel fireplace that doesn't throw a spark and |
| are a few safety procedures you should observe. | | | | can be put out with the simple drop of a lid. If the |
| First, a fire should not be left alone unattended | | | | gel fuel fireplace had been used, the Dobosz |
| even if it is in a fireplace. It does not make it safe | | | | would not have had to endure damage to their |
| just because a fireplace is housed in a fire safe | | | | home and feel the guilt for putting a law |
| location with a solid base. Sparks are a reality | | | | enforcement officer in danger. |
| even though you may think it will never happen | | | | So, always be safe when it comes to fire. Your |
| to you. I'm sure the Dobosz shared that view | | | | friends deserve to know that your home |
| once or twice before their home almost burned | | | | environment is safe when they visit and your |
| to the ground because of one simple spark. | | | | family absolutely requires it. Make sure all fires are |
| And that is the reality of the situation. A fire left | | | | out before you go to sleep and you'll never have |
| unattended in the fireplace could produce a spark | | | | to worry about waking up to fire hazards. |