Press Release - November 29, 2006

Date:
November 29, 2006

Contact:
Robert Korb, Jr., CFI, CFPS - Deputy Fire Marshal
Phone: (410) 632-5666 Ext.4; Email: rkorb@wcfmo.org

SPACE HEATER SAFETY

It happens every winter. The weather turns cold and people turn on the space heater to warm up. There's always someone who inadvertently starts a fire by putting the heater too close to the furniture or draperies. Then there are the people who end up having fires because the heater is left on all night or the appliance tips over.

The nonprofit safety advocate National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says heating devices are the leading cause of fires in the home during December, January and February. In 2001, there were 54,900 heating equipment-related home fires in the U.S., 220 civilian deaths, 1,120 civilian injuries and $502 million in direct property damage. All kinds of space heating equipment is involved in fires in the home: portable electric heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces, portable kerosene heaters and room gas heaters.

Here in Worcester County there have been high number heating-related fires in the past several years. Property damage has topped $1,000,000. But these fires don't have to happen. Most fires with space heaters are preventable if key safety measures are followed. To avoid problems, keep space (both portable and fixed) heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including furnishings, bedding and clothing. Turn the heater off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Wood stoves and fireplaces also need special care. If you're buying a new unit, make sure a qualified technician does the installation. If the appliance has already been installed, have it checked to make sure the installation was done properly.

Most fires in wood stoves, fireplaces, and chimneys occur because of a lack of regular cleaning, leading to the buildup of creosote, the residue of unburned fuel.

Heating devices should be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use only seasoned hardwood and don't burn trash in a fireplace because the fire could burn out of control. Keep sparks and embers inside the fireplace with fire screens made of heat-tempered glass or sturdy metal.
Heating equipment that burns fuel is a potential source of carbon monoxide (CO). CO is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that is created when fuel burns incompletely. Install CO alarms in your home to provide you with an early warning if CO is accumulating.

So when the temperature drops, go ahead and use your heating appliances. We want you to be warm and cozy. But we also want to make sure you're safe.

Here are some safety tips:

Space heaters need space. Portable space heaters need a three-foot clearance from anything that can burn such as furniture, draperies and walls. They should always be turned off when leaving the room or before going to sleep.
When buying a new unit, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing lab. Be sure that a qualified technician installs the unit or checks that the unit has been installed properly.
Only use approved containers for the purpose of storing and transporting kerosene and never store kerosene containers in the home.
Portable kerosene heaters must be fueled only in a well-ventilated area, free of flame and other heat sources, and only when the device has cooled completely. Use only the type of kerosene specified by the manufacturer for that device, and never use gasoline instead of kerosene.
When turning a space heating device on or off, be careful to follow the manufacturer's instructions. When buying heaters, look for devices with automatic shutoff features.
Be sure any gas-fueled heating device is installed with proper attention to ventilation, and never put unvented gas space heaters in bedrooms or bathrooms. Also, LP (liquefied petroleum) gas heaters with self-contained fuel supplies are prohibited for home use by NFPA codes.
Purchase at least one carbon monoxide detector and install it in the room that your space heater is located, if you can afford it install one in every sleeping room. Make sure you maintain the detector according to the manufacturer's instructions.

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For further information, the Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office can be reached by calling 410-632-5666 or on the web at www.wcfmo.org.