Winter Heating Hazard

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

After effect of a attic fire in Louisville

Winter Heating Hazards

Winter is here and it always bring a change in the weather! The days are shorter, the nights are longer and the temperatures are lower.  To help keep our homes and offices warm and cozy, people often turn to other sources of heat like fireplaces, wood burning stoves and portable space heaters.  Unfortunately, these alternative heating sources are the second leading cause of residential fires.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, those fires account for $893 million plus dollars in damages annually.  Here are several ways to help reduce the risk of a fire in your home or office.

• Remember to turn all heaters off when leaving the room for good or going to bed.
• For fuel burning space heaters, always use the proper type of fuel specified by the manufacturer.
• Keep anything flammable at least three feet from heat sources including furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves or portable space heaters.
• Maintain a kid-free zone around open fires and space heaters.
• Have chimneys cleaned and inspected yearly by a qualified or certified professional.
• Make sure fireplaces have a sturdy screen to stop sparks from getting into the room or on the flooring. Always allow ashes to cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance from your home or any out buildings.
• Test all smoke alarms monthly.
• Always hire a qualified professional when installing furnaces, water heaters, central heating and air equipment or gas appliances.