WINTER FIRE SAFETY:
TIPS FOR THE HOME
The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities 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 rapidly, or coming out of storage.
Fireplaces are burning wood and man-made logs. 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 build-up. 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 (kerosene, coal or propane, for example) produces deadly fumes.
- Use ONLY the fuel recommended by the heater manufacturer. NEVER
introduce a fuel into a unit not designed for that type fuel.
- Keep kerosene, or other flammable liquids stored in approved metal
containers, in well ventilated storage areas, outside of the house.
- NEVER fill the heater while it is operating or hot. When refueling an
oil or kerosene unit, avoid overfilling. Use caution with cold fuel for it
may expand in the tank as it warms up.
- Refueling should be done outside of the home (or outdoors).
- Keep young children safely away from space heaters -- especially when
they are wearing nightgowns 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
Wood stoves and fireplaces are becoming a very common heat source in homes.
Careful attention to safety can minimize their fire hazard. To use them safely:
- Be sure the stove or fireplace is installed properly. Wood stoves should
have adequate clearance (36Ó) from combustible surfaces,
and proper floor support and protection.
- Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design, and
should be UL listed.
- 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 jumping out, unwanted material from going in, and help
prevent the possibility of bums to occupants.
- The stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the
amount of creosote buildup.
- Don't 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 mantel. A spark from the fireplace
could easily ignite these materials.
- Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. NEVER close
your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the
fire to 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's important that you have your furnace inspected to insure 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 pipes and pipe seams. Are they well supported? Free of
holes, and cracks? Soot along or around seams may be an indicator of a leak.
- Is the chimney solid? No 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 supplementary heating devise. 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. Only
use extension cords which have the necessary rating to carry the amp load.
- Avoid using electric space heaters in bathrooms, or other areas where they
may come in contact with water.
- Frozen water pipes? Never try to thaw them with a blow torch or other open
flame, (otherwise the pipe could conduct the heat and ignite the wall
structure inside the wall space). Use hot water or a UL labeled device such as
a hand held dryer for thawing.
- If windows are used as emergency exits in your home, practice using them
in the event fire should strike. Be sure that all windows open easily. Home
escape ladders are recommended.
- If there is a fire hydrant near your home you can assist the fire
department by keeping the hydrant clear of snow so in the event it is needed,
it can be located.
FINALLY …