Summer is the season for brush fires, but for fall and winter, fire dangers are closer to home.

Colwood Fire Rescue is raising the alarm that homes need working smoke alarms, especially as homeowners start lighting up fireplaces during those cool winter nights.

B次元官网网址淲e are heading into our busiest time of year for the fire department,B次元官网网址� said Colwood fire inspector Capt. John Cassidy. B次元官网网址淭here are a lot more callouts for chimney fires as people heat their homes with wood.B次元官网网址�

Typically, if people donB次元官网网址檛 keep their chimney clean, creosote deposits within the smoke stack can ignite and burn, and in cases spread into the roof of a home.

B次元官网网址淪ome chimney fires you can hear tinkling, like bells, as the creosote hits the damper,B次元官网网址� Cassidy said. B次元官网网址淪ome roar like a jet engine.B次元官网网址�

With the help of Thrifty Foods, the new Red Barn Market at Latoria Walk in Colwood and London Drugs, Colwood Fire Rescue gave away 500 red reusable shopping bags to promote fire safety and to remind people of the importance of having working smoke alarms. Fire prevention week is in October, but Cassidy said its message deserves attention year-round.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e always trying to get the message out in different ways,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淕iving out 500 bags as been successful. WeB次元官网网址檒l definitely redo this one.B次元官网网址�