Heating Safety Tips

This winter, we want you and your family to be warm, cozy and above all, safe. Use these tips to ensure you’re properly prepared for cold weather emergencies, and that your home is safeguarded against heating hazards.

 

General

  • Install a carbon monoxide detector. Make sure it is marked with the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) safety listing. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for placement in your home.
  • Install smoke alarms that are equipped with a battery back up on every level of your home. Test the alarms monthly and change the batteries annually.
  • Children should not have access to portable heaters, electric or fuel powered
  • Do not use the oven or stove to heat your home. This can be a fire hazard as well as a source of toxic fumes.
  • Do not burn anything larger than candles inside your home without providing good ventilation such as opening windows, doors and fireplace flumes.
  • All heaters that run on fuel (natural gas, kerosene, butane, oil) should be vented. The only exception to this rule is electric heaters.
  • “Space” heaters need their space. Keep anything combustible at least three feet away.
  • Always perform a thorough safety inspection of heating sources in your home. Outdated, poorly maintained, misused, or damaged heating equipment can lead to a deadly disaster.
 
 

Electric Space Heaters

  • Purchase only heaters with the UL safety listing.
  • Purchase a heater that is equipped with a thermostat control mechanism and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over.
  • Never use a heater to dry clothing or any other combustible material.
  • Never use an extension cord with an electric space heater. Plug them directly into the electrical outlet.
  • Always unplug your heater when not in use.
  • Keep all combustible objects including draperies, towels and carpets at least three feet away from the heater.
 
 

Kerosene Heaters

  • Before purchasing a kerosene heater, check with your local fire department and building inspector to determine if building and fire codes permit its use in residential structures
  • Check with your insurance carrier to determine if your policy will cover fire damage caused by a kerosene heater.
  • Purchase only UL approved heaters.
  • Kerosene heaters should be used only in a well ventilated room.
  • Use the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer, and follow instructions carefully. Never fill your heater with gasoline or camp stove fuel.
  • Never refill a space heater while it is in operation or is still hot and never refuel it indoors.
  • Never overfill a kerosene heater.
  • Always make sure to properly store extra fuel and never store it near the heater.
 
 

Fireplaces

  • Have your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned annually. Check for obstructions and cracks, which will help to prevent deadly chimney and roof fires.
  • Make sure the damper is open before lighting a fire.
  • Never burn trash, paper or green wood in your fireplace. These materials cause heavy creosote, a dark brown or black flammable tar deposited from wood smoke onto the walls of a chimney, and are difficult to control.
  • Glass doors or a metal screen should be placed in front of the fireplace to prevent sparks or burning logs from leaving the fireplace and causing a home fire.
  • Extinguish the fire completely before going to bed or leaving home.
  • Do not burn charcoal designed for barbecues in your fireplace or wood stove. It releases odorless, but toxic, carbon monoxide fumes and can cause death.
 
 

Wood Stoves

  • Make sure it is constructed of solid material, such as plate steel or cast iron.
  • Check legs, hinges, and door seals for smooth joints and seams to make sure there are no cracks.
  • Inspect and clean the pipes and chimney on an annual basis.
  • Use only seasoned hardwood for fuel. Do not use green wood, artificial logs or trash.