HOME HEATING SAFETY
GENERAL PREVENTION
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.
- Have a three-foot “kid-free-zone” around open fires and space heaters.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
- Keep oxygen tanks at least 5 feet from a heat source.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
PORTABLE HEATERS
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Keep portable heaters three feet away from anything that can burn.
- Place portable heaters on flat surfaces.
- Avoid using extension cords with portable heaters.
When shopping for a portable space heater, choose a model with:
- An automatic shut-off device
- A seal of approval from an independent testing laboratory, signifying that it has met safety standards.
BASEBOARD HEATERS
- Keep all furniture a safe distance from your heaters. Never block the flow of heat.
- Always hire an experienced electrician to perform any necessary repair work on your baseboard heaters.
- Keep children and pets away from these heaters.
FIREPLACES AND WOODSTOVES
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.
- Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep them a safe distance away from your home.
- Have your chimney inspected annually by a professional. Creosote can build up inside the chimney and pose a fire hazard.
- All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
SMOKE AND CO ALARMS
If a fire occurs in your home, a working smoke alarm can save your life.
- Install and maintain CO alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning.
- If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance.
- Leave the home immediately and call 9-1-1.
