Observe fire safety rules, take care of yourself and your loved ones!

Over the past 8 months of the current year, 658 fires occurred in the Vitebsk region, resulting in 66 fatalities. Of these, 86 fires were caused by violations of the rules for operating stoves, heat-generating units, and devices, and 21 fires were caused by violations of the rules for the installation and assembly of stoves, heat-generating units, and devices.

Few people consider that a stove, while a source of warmth and comfort in a home, can become a potential cause of fire if not properly maintained and cared for.

For those who care about their safety and the safety of their loved ones, here are some recommendations from the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The first thing to remember is that before the start of the heating season, the chimney flues must be cleaned of soot. It is also important to remember that the chimney should be plastered and whitewashed – this will allow you to easily identify and eliminate cracks through which sparks could reach combustible roof structures. All cracks in the stove body itself must also be sealed. Under no circumstances should you cover the stove body with combustible materials or paint it with combustible paint. It is mandatory that the combustible floor in front of the stove's firebox opening be protected with non-combustible sheet or tile material.

After preparing the stove for the heating season, you should recall the operating rules:

- Do not allow the stove to overheat. In severe cold, it is better to heat the stove twice a day – in the morning and in the evening;

- Do not use firewood for heating the stove that exceeds the size of the firebox – remember, during heating, the firebox door must be closed;

- Do not use flammable or combustible liquids to ignite the stove;

- Ensure that the stove is stopped at least two hours before you go to bed;

- Do not store combustible materials (rags, clothes, shoes, dry firewood, etc.) on the stove body or in its immediate vicinity;

- Under no circumstances entrust the ignition of the stove or its supervision to children;

- Before closing the upper damper of the stove, make sure that the firewood in the firebox has completely burned out.

Observe fire safety rules, take care of yourself and your loved ones!