As outdoor temperatures drop, and people take measures to keep themselves warm this winter, fire incidents involving fireplaces may increase. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department would like to remind you of some important SAFETY TIPS:

• Have the chimney inspected annually, and cleaned as necessary.
• When cleaning the fireplace, store ashes in a non-combustible container with a tight fitting lid and place the container away from the house.
• Never leave a fireplace fire unattended.
• Make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Allow ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container (it takes sometimes four days for ashes to cool down).
• Dispose of ashes in a metal container.
• Call 911 immediately when a fire occurs. Residents should not attempt to extinguish the fire themselves.

For more seasonal fire and life safety information, please visit our website at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire