During the fall and winter months, residential fires become more prevalent due in part to an increase in the number of cooking and heating fires.
With colder temperatures and the high cost of home heating fuels and utilities, many people resort to using fireplaces, wood stoves, space heaters and other alternative heating methods to keep warm. While these methods of heating are acceptable, they are also major contributors to residential fires. Follow these guidelines to maintain a fire-safe home.
Wood Stove and Fireplaces
Be sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly and by a qualified professional.
Wood stoves should have adequate clearance (36 inches or more) from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection.
Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design. Purchase wood stoves evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Have your 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 to help prevent the possibility of burns to occupants.
Allow ashes to cool before disposing of them. Place ashes in a covered metal container, never plastic bins. Keep containers at least 10 feet from the home or other buildings. Do not store in garages or on porches.
Be sure to have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.
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.
Furnaces
Have your furnace inspected regularly. Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition.
Do not attempt repairs yourself: leave furnace repairs to qualified specialists.
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 pipe and pipe seams. Are they well supported and free of holes and cracks? Soot along or around seams may be an indicator of a leak.
Is the chimney solid, with cracks or loose bricks? All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry.
Keep trash and other combustibles away from the heating system.
Space Heaters
Be sure your space heater is Underwriter Listed (UL) and in good working condition.
Space heaters should have adequate clearance (36 inches or more) from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection.
Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
Place heater on a solid, flat surface.
Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off should the heater tip over.
Keep space heater out of the way of foot traffic and never block an exit.
Plug the heater directly into a wall outlet—no extension cords!
Space heater should be turned off and unplugged when you leave a room or go to bed.
Winter Storm’s Fire-Related Hazards
Alternative heating devices used incorrectly create fire hazards.
Damaged or downed utility lines can present a fire and life safety hazard—stay away.
Water damaged appliances and utilities can be electrically charged.
Frozen water pipes can burst and cause safety hazards.
Leaking gas lines, damaged or leaking gas propane containers, and leaking vehicle gas tanks may explode or ignite.
Generators are often used during power outages. Generators that are not properly used and maintained can be hazardous.
Fire Hydrants
If you have a fire hydrant located on or near your property, we request your assistance in maintaining snow removal to allow immediate use by the fire department. Shovel a path from the street to the hydrant and please clear a 3-foot area around the fire hydrant.