Winter Fire Safety

The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities has caused many Americans to search for alternate sources of home heating. The use of wood burning stoves is growing, space heaters are selling rapidly, or coming out of storage. Fireplaces are burning more wood and man-made logs.

All of these supplementary heat measures can be good. But they are also a major contributing factor in many residential fires. Many of these fires are preventable. 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 ports for carbon buildup. Be sure the heater has an emergency shut off that operates in case the heater is tipped over.

• Never use fuel-burning appliances without proper room venting. Burning fuel (kerosene, coal, or propane) produces deadly fumes, mostly in the form of carbon monoxide.
• Use ONLY the fuel recommended by the heater manufacturer. NEVER INTRODUCE A FUEL INTO A UNIT NOT DESIGNED FOR THAT TYPE OF FUEL.
• Keep kerosene and other flammable liquids stored in approved metal containers, in well-ventilated storage areas, outside of the house.
• NEVER fill the heater while it is hot or in operation. When refueling an oil or kerosene unit, avoid overfilling. Be careful with cold fuel, for it may expand in the tank as it warms up.
• 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 build up 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 from combustible surfaces, and proper floor support and protection.
• Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and proper 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 and unwanted materials (or people) from going in.
• 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 directions on the package. Never break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire, and/or use more than one log at a time. They sometimes burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.