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Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the months of December, January and February, and trails only cooking equipment in home fires year-round, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
On average, more than a third of home fire deaths in the United States occur during the winter months. Critical elements of home heating safety have to do with correct installation, maintenance, fueling and operation of portable and space heaters, as well as safely arranging household items around them.
This winter, as many of us turn to alternative sources to offset rising home heating costs, it is important to take note of safety practices to minimize the risk of fire and serious injury.
Major causes of home heating fires include:
- Lack of regular cleaning of chimneys in fireplaces and woodstoves.
- Placing things that can burn too close to space and portable heaters.
- Flaws in design, installation or use.
- Fueling errors involving liquid or gas-fueled heaters.
- Leaving portable or space heaters unattended.
 Maintain heating equipment correctly.
Portable and Other Space Heaters:
- All types must be kept at least 36 inches from anything that can burn, including furniture, bedding, clothing, pets and people.
- Space heaters must not be left operating when you are not in the room, or when you go to sleep.
- Children should be supervised at all times when space heaters are in use.
- Do not put drying clothing or combustibles over heaters.
- Check for fraying or splitting wires, or overheating. Have problems repaired by a professional before operating the space heater.
Tips for Preventing CO Poisioning:
- Never use a vented-type heater without proper venting and flue (chimney).
- Follow manufacturer's recommendations for the proper size heater and for its installation, maintenance and use. Have it professionally installed, if possible.
- Never use a heater that is in disrepair. Always keep your heater in proper operating condition.
- Turn off the heater if the burner flame looks strange, i.e., yellow flames, unsteady flames, or smoky flames.
- Turn off the heater, ventilate the room and get into the fresh air if you feel other than normal (i.e. headache, nausea, fuzzy vision)--remember CO does not have a odor and you may become unconscious before you realize there is a problem.
- Make sure the venting system is open--a blocked vent can cause your space heater to exhaust CO into your living space.
- Never sleep in a room where a gas heater is burning.
- Do not operate a gas heater in a completely 'tight' room. The heater needs a source of fresh air to operate safely and efficiently. Crack a window, if needed.
Any additional questions regarding Fire Safety, kindly contact: Lt. Patrick Saltmarsh at 508-758-4150 or by email: psaltmarsh@mattapoisett.net
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