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How To Prevent Heating System Fires

By: John Myre

Home heating equipment that provides warmth and comfort on a cool day also brings deadly risks if used incorrectly.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fires associated with home heating equipment result in about 45,000 fires and over 200 fatalities across America every year.

Here are a few tips to keep your house cozy and safe.

Start With The Basics

* Have your heating systems inspected by a professional before the start of each heating season.

* Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, including the basement, outside sleeping areas and in rooms with space heaters. Put carbon monoxide detectors outside sleeping areas, and in rooms with a fireplace or stove, unvented gas or liquid heaters, or a furnace.

* Keep flammable items at least three feet from a heater, fireplace, chimney, stove and chimney pipe. This includes papers, wallpaper, curtains, clothing, and bedding.

* Keep a fire extinguisher handy, and know how to use it.

Be Cautious With Portable Heaters

* Buy a heater that has been approved by a nationally recognized independent testing lab, and has automatic shut-off safety features.

* Always turn heaters off when leaving a room or going to bed.

* Never use a heater in a room where children or incapacitated adults are unsupervised.

* If you have an electric heater:
-Do not curl the cord and do not bury it under carpeting. The heat from the cord could start a fire.
-If the cord overheats, stop using the heater and have it serviced.
-Don't use an extension cord. If you must use one temporarily, be sure it is marked with a power rating at least equal to the heater.
-Periodically check for fraying or splitting wires. Do not try to repair a broken heater yourself. Take it to a qualified service center.

* Avoid using kerosene heaters. They are illegal in many areas. If you must use one: make sure you use the correct fuel; follow manufacturer's directions exactly; never refill a kerosene heater when it is hot; and never fill it indoors.

Hot Tips For Fireplaces and Stoves

* Have the chimney inspected by a certified sweep at the start of each heating season. If you regularly use the fireplace or stove more than four times a week, or use soft or green woods, have it inspected more often.

* Never leave small children unattended near a fireplace or stove.

* Block out animals and sparks with a mesh screen spark arrester on the chimney, and keep the roof clear of leaves, pine needles, overhanging branches and other debris.

* Never use flammable liquids to light or stoke a fire.

* Do not burn paper, boxes, trash, or pine boughs. The particles can float out onto the roof.

* To reduce creosote, use hardwoods seasoned for at least a year.

* Don't burn preservative-treated wood. The ash will contain chemicals that are a hazardous waste.

* Remove ashes only in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Put the ashes outside, away from combustible materials.

* Don't overload a fireplace. A roaring fire can overheat your walls or roof and lead to an inferno. Also:
-Read the instructions before lighting an artificial log. These logs can burn unevenly and release abnormal levels of carbon monoxide.
-Be sure the fire is out before you go to bed or leave the house.
-To avoid flying sparks, use a sturdy screen made of metal or heat-tempered glass.

* If you purchase a stove, buy one that bears a label from a reputable testing lab, and have it installed by a certified company. Also:
-Frequently check and clean flues for creosote.
-Keep a window ajar to avoid a buildup of combustion products.

* If there is a roaring noise inside the house from the chimney area, or sparks and/or flames shooting from the chimney top, call the fire department immediately. If the chimney cracks or if heat radiates through it, the house may catch fire.