Heating Fire Safety and Carbon Monoxide

DEM Blogger

January 5, 2015

After an up-and-down temperature plot throughout November and December, it looks like winter is finally settling into the Bluegrass. That means it’s time for many of us to deploy supplemental home heating. Today’s post on handling these systems safely comes to us from the U.S. Fire Administration.

Home fires occur more in winter than in any other season. Many of these home fires are caused by space heaters, as well as fireplaces and wood stoves. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) advises the following heating and carbon monoxide tips to stay safe this winter season:

Portable Heaters

• Only use portable heaters from a recognized testing laboratory.
• Make sure the heater has an automatic shut-off so if it tips over, it shuts off.
• Keep anything that can burn such as bedding, clothing and curtains at least three feet away from the heater.
• Plug portable heaters directly into outlets. Never plug a portable heater into an extension cord or power strip.
• Turn heaters off when going to bed or leaving the room.

Fireplaces

• Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace to prevent embers or sparks jumping out.
• Do not burn paper in the fireplace.
• Put the fire out before going to sleep or leaving the home.
• Put ashes in a metal container with a lid, outside, at least three feet from the home.

Wood Stoves

• Have the chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a professional.
• Make sure the wood stove is three feet away from anything that can burn.
• Do not burn paper in the wood stove.
• Put the fire out before going to sleep or leaving the home.

Carbon Monoxide

• When using heaters that require fuel, install a carbon monoxide detector.