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• Seasonal Safety Tips

WINTER FIRE SAFETY
HOME HEATING TIPS

The high cost of home heating fuels, utilities and the difficult economic times have caused many Americans to search for alternate sources of home heating. The use of wood burning stoves is growing and space heaters are selling well, or coming out of storage.

All of these methods of heating may be acceptable. They are however, a major contributing factor in residential fires. Many of these fires can be prevented. The following fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire safe home this winter.

KEROSENE HEATERS

• Be sure your heater is in good working condition. Inspect exhaust parts for carbon buildup. Be sure the heater has an emergency shut off in case the heater is tipped over
• Never use fuel burning appliances without proper room venting. Burning fuel can produce deadly fumes.
• Use only fuel recommended by the heater manufacturer.
• Keep kerosene or other flammable liquids stored in approved metal containers in well ventilated storage areas outside the house.
• Never fill the heater while it is operating or hot. Do not use cold fuel for it may expand in the tank as it warms up.
• Refueling should be done outdoors. Keep young children away from space heaters, especially when they are wearing night gowns or other loose clothing that can be easily ignited.
• When using a fuel burning appliance in the bedroom, be sure there is proper ventilation to prevent a buildup of carbon monoxide,

WOOD STOVES AND FIREPLACES

• Be sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly. Wood stoves should have adequate clearance (36 inches) from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection.
• Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design, and should be evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time.
• Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.
• Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening, to prevent embers or sparks from coming out and help prevent the possibility of burns to occupants.
• The wood stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.
• Do not use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by overbuilding the fire.
• Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.
• Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A spark from the fireplace could easily ignite these materials.
• Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace is out. Never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.
• If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package. Never break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.

FURNACE HEATING

• It is important that you have your furnace inspected to ensure that it is in good working condition.
• Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition.
• Leave furnace repairs to qualified specialists. Do not attempt repairs yourself unless you are qualified.
• Inspect the walls and ceiling near the furnace and along the chimney line. If the wall is hot or discolored, additional pipe insulation or clearance may be required.
• Check the flue pipe and pipe seams. Are they well supported and free of holes and cracks? Soot along or around seams may be an indicator of a leak.
• Is the chimney solid with cracks or loose bricks? All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry.
• Keep trash and other combustibles away from the heating system.

OTHER FIRE SAFETY TIPS

• Never discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house.
• Never use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating device. Not only is it a safety hazard, it can be a source of potentially toxic fumes.
• If you use an electric heater, be sure not to overload the circuit.
• Never try to thaw frozen water pipes with a blow torch or other open flame device. The pipe could conduct the heat and ignite the wall or floor that it passes through.
• Be sure every level of your home has a working smoke alarm and be sure to check and clean it on a monthly basis.
• Plan and practice a home escape plan with your family.