The cold season is most definitely
here, and will be here for a long few months. This means it is prime time for
heating the home! No matter what type of heat you use (fire, wood stove, pellet
stove, electric heat, fuel oil, etc.) it is important to use safe measures when
using it. Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fire deaths, with
almost half reported December – February. A few weeks ago, I wrote about what you should do for your
furnace to get it ready for the heating season, and that is a big part of
heating safety. You need to make sure first and foremost that your equipment is
in proper working condition, clean and safe to use. Equipment includes fire and
carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure these are in proper working order and have
been replaced if older than ten years old. Another general tip is if there is a
fire hydrant near your home, help the fire department out by keeping it clear
of snow.
Fireplaces/Woodstoves
If you use a
fireplace, make sure you have a sturdy metal screen to protect from sparks
flying into the room. Also make sure that ashes are truly cool before putting
them in a sturdy metal container. Keep the container a distance away from your
home. Do not burn
holiday wrapping papers in the fireplace. It can throw off dangerous sparks and
produce a chemical buildup in the home that could cause an explosion. A
flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely. Use only
clean, dry wood and never burn trash. Do not exceed the fuel capacity for your
fireplace or stove. There is a video series at this link - Fireplace Safety –
fireplace safety, tools, extinguishing and more.
Space Heaters
Remember to turn
off portable space heaters before going to bed or when you leave the room. Try
to purchase one that has a “tip” sensor, meaning that if it is tipped over, it
automatically shuts off. Use the proper type of fuel as specified by the
manufacturer for fuel burning space heaters. If it is an unvented fuel-burning
space heater, keep doors open to the rest of your home. Kerosene heaters have
specific warnings all to their own, regarding fuels and re-fueling. Always
re-fuel outside the building and make sure you know if you are supposed to use
K-1 or K-2 in the heater. Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from
heating equipment, like the furnace, wood stove, fireplace or space heater.
Also keep a “child free zone” around your fire or space heater. Electric heaters should never be used around
water. Make sure it is unplugged when not in use. If you use an extension cord,
please make sure it is used properly.
Furnace
After making sure
it is in proper working order, clean and possessing a clean filter, there are a
few other tips to ensure safety. Do not store anything combustible or liquid
near the furnace. Make sure the flame is blue, as a yellow flame could be a
clue that the burner needs adjustment. Make sure the door is securely fastened.
Do not close off more than 20% of the vents in your home as this can cause a
buildup of heat in the furnace.
