Home Winter Fire Safety Tips

We have many different ways to ward off the cold of winter: wood stoves, space heaters, fireplaces, kerosene heaters, oil or gas furnaces, etc. Unfortunately, all can add to the danger of house fires if you're not careful. You can make your home safer by following these safety tips.

Kerosene Heaters

Make sure the heater is mechanically sound.

• An emergency shut off if it tips over
• Good mechanical working condition
• No carbon buildup on the exhaust
• No leaks in the fuel system

Provide good ventilation.

• Think about where the heater is located.
• There should be adequate airflow to feed the fire, and to take any fumes away.

Operate the heater safely:

• Keep flammable objects, children and pets away from the heater.
• Don't store heater fuel in the house or in unapproved containers
• Don't use fuel other than kerosene
• Don't fill the heater while it's on or hot
• Don't fill the heater in the house
• Don't overfill the heater -- cold fuel can expand and overflow.

Wood Stoves and Fireplaces

Look at these equipment safety issues:

• Check that your stove or fireplace is of good quality and structurally sound
• Insure it has an UL safety certification
• Use a glass or metal safety screen to control sparks and embers
• Clean or inspect your chimney annually
• Make sure the fire is out and the damper is open before you go to sleep

Follow a few operating rules:

• Burn your stove hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce creosote buildup
• Keep flammable materials away from your stove or fireplace
• Follow product safety directions if you burn synthetic logs. Don't break them apart or use more than one at a time - they may burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.
• Don't use flammable liquids to start your stove or fireplace
• Don't burn charcoal indoors
• Don't use a large amount of paper to build a roaring fire - it could start a chimney fire.
• Don't put flammable objects on the mantel.
• Don't close a damper with hot ashes in the fireplace - it will help heat the fire again and force toxic carbon monoxide into your house.

Furnace Heating

Look at these equipment safety issues:

• Have your furnace system inspected regularly for safe operation
• Insure controls and shut offs work well
• Leave repairs to qualified specialists
• Inspect the area around your furnace for damage from inadequate insulation

Maintain good ventilation.

• Check flue pipes and pipe seams for holes, cracks, soot, and leaks
• Inspect the chimney for loose bricks or cracks

Keep trash and other materials away from the heating system

Other Fire Safety Tips

• Be sure every level of your home has a working smoke detector
• Use carbon monoxide detectors in your home
• Develop and practice an emergency evacuation plan
• If there's a hydrant on your property, keep it clear of debris
• Contact your local fire department if you have any questions about fire safety
• Don't discard hot ashes inside or near your home. Put them in a metal container well away from the house.
• Don't use a range or oven to heat your home -- It can create toxic fumes and heat unevenly.
• Don't overload circuit or extension cord when you use electrical heaters.
• Don't use electric heaters in damp or wet areas
• Don't try to thaw frozen pipes with an open flame. You could start a fire inside the wall of your home. Use hot water or a hand held hair dryer.

(This information from www.fema.gov)