BEIJING - China's education authorities on Sunday instructed schools nationwide to upgrade fire prevention measures before and during the winter vacation.

Schools are asked to check their facilities in dormitories, canteens, libraries, labs, meeting halls and boiler rooms, said the Ministry of Education in a notice.

They must stop misuse of electricity or fireworks and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from coal stoves for heating, the document said.

China was shocked by a serious fire on Friday in the northeastern city of Harbin that killed five firefighters and injured another 14.