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 Outdated, poorly maintained, misused, or damaged heating equipment can lead to a deadly disaster.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.