Preventing Home Fires When It’s Cold Outside
By the Avon Volunteer Fire Department
Due to the high cost of home heating fuels and utilities, many people are turning to alternate sources of home heating. Sales of wood burning stoves are on the rise. Space heaters are also popular. And, fireplaces can burn wood or manufactured logs. These are all acceptable heating methods. However, they also contribute to residential fires, many of which can be prevented.
Further, overall economic conditions are tempting people to skimp on all kinds of household preventive maintenance, including furnaces and chimneys. And, while the U.S. Fire Administration (www.usaf.dhs.gov) reports a dramatic decline in the number of residential heating fires from 200,000 in 1984 to 49,000 in 2004, heating fires remain the second leading cause of all residential building fires and confined heating fires – those that burn in chimneys, flues, fuel boxes, or boilers – account for 86 percent of all residential building fires, and more than 25 percent of residential building heating fires result from improper maintenance of heating equipment, specifically the failure to clean furnaces and chimneys.
By properly identifying potential hazards and following the safety tips below, everyone can help prevent the loss of life and property that result from heating fires.
Kerosene Heaters
- Keep your heater is in good working condition. Inspect exhaust parts for carbon build up. Be sure the heater has an emergency shut off in case the heater is tipped over.
- Never use fuel burning appliances without proper room ventilation. Burning fuel (coal, kerosene, or propane, for example) can produce deadly fumes.
- Use ONLY the fuel recommended by the heater manufacturer.
- Keep kerosene, or other flammable liquids stored in approved metal containers, in well ventilated storage areas, outside of the house.
- NEVER fill the heater while it is operating or hot. When fueling an oil or kerosene unit, avoid over filling. DO NOT use cold fuel as it may expand in the tank as it warms up.
- Refueling should be done outside of the home. Keep young children away from space heaters, especially when they are wearing night gowns 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 buildup of carbon monoxide.
Fireplaces and Wood and Pellet Stoves
- Wood and pellet stoves and fireplaces are becoming a very common heat source in homes. Careful attention to safety can minimize their fire hazard.
- Be sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly. Wood and pellet stoves should have adequate clearance (36 inches) from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection.
- Wood and pellet stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design, and should be UL listed.
- Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary.
- 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.
- Stoves should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.
- Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. Overbuilding the fire can ignite creosote in the chimney.
- NEVER burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide
- Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A spark from the fireplace can 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 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 high levels of carbon monoxide.
Furnace Heating
- Have your furnace inspected to ensure that it is in good working condition.
- Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are operational.
- Leave furnace repairs to qualified specialists. Do not attempt repairs yourself unless you are qualified.
- Inspect 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 seams. Are they well supported and free of holes and cracks? Soot along or around seams may indicate a leak.
- Seal all unused flue openings with solid masonry.
- Keep trash and other combustibles away from the heating system.
Links of Interest:
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/holiday.shtm
