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Winter Fires
Safety Tips For The Home!
The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities have caused many
Americans to search for alternate sources of home heating. The use of
wood burning stoves is growing and space heaters are selling rapidly, or
coming out of storage. Fireplaces are burning wood and man-made logs.
All of these methods of heating may be acceptable. They are however, a
major contributing factor in residential
fires. Many of these fires can
be prevented. The following fire safety tips can help you maintain a
fire safe home this winter.
KEROSENE HEATERS
Be sure your heater is in good working condition.
Inspect exhaust parts for carbon buildup. Be sure the heater has an
emergency shut off in case the heater is tipped over.
Never use fuel
burning appliances without proper
room venting. Burning fuel (kerosene, coal or propane, for example)
produces deadly fumes.
Use ONLY the fuel recommended by the heater
manufacturer. NEVER introduce a fuel into a unit not designed for that
type fuel.
Keep kerosene, or other flammable liquids stored in
approved metal containers, in well ventilated storage areas, outside of
the house.
NEVER fill the heater while it is operating or hot.
When refueling an oil or kerosene unit, avoid overfilling. Use caution
with cold fuel for it may expand in the tank as it warms up.
Refueling should be done outside of the home (or
outdoors).
Keep young children safely away from space
heaters--especially when they are wearing nightgowns or other loose
clothing that can be easily ignited.
When using a fuel burning appliance in the bedroom,
be sure there is proper ventilation to prevent a buildup of carbon
monoxide.
WOOD STOVES AND FIREPLACES
Wood stoves and fireplaces are becoming a very common heat source in
homes. Careful attention to safety can minimize their fire hazard
To use them safely:
Be sure the stove or fireplace is installed
properly. Woodstoves should have adequate clearance (36") from
combustible surfaces, and proper floor support and protection.
Woodstoves should be of good quality, solid
construction and design, and should be UL listed.
Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if
necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time.
Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate
any fire.
Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the
fireplace opening, to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out,
unwanted material from going in, and help prevent the possibility of
burns to occupants.
The stove should be burned hot twice a day for
15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.
Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build
roaring fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite
creosote in the
chimney by overbuilding the fire.
Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can
give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.
Keep flammable materials away from your mantel. A
spark from the fireplace could easily ignite these materials.
Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire
is out. NEVER close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A
closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic
carbon monoxide into the house.
If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions
on the package. Never break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or
use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing
higher levels of carbon monoxide.
FURNACE HEATING
It's important that you have your furnace inspected
to insure that it is in good working condition.
Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs
are in proper working condition.
Leave
furnace repairs to qualified specialists. Do
not attempt repairs yourself unless you are qualified.
Inspect the walls and ceiling near the furnace and
along the chimney line. If the wall is hot or discolored, additional
pipe insulation or clearance may be required.
Check the flue pipes and pipe seams. Are they well
supported? Free of holes, and cracks? Soot along or around seams may be
an indicator of a leak.
Is the chimney solid? No cracks or loose bricks?
All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry.
Keep trash and other combustibles away from the
heating system.
OTHER FIRE
SAFETY TIPS
Never discard hot ashes inside or near the home.
Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house.
Never use a range or an oven as a supplementary
heating devise. Not only is it a safety hazard, it can be a source of
potentially toxic fumes.
If you use an electric heater, be sure not to
overload the circuit. Only use extension cords which have the necessary
rating to carry the amp load.
Avoid using electric space beaters in bathrooms, or
other areas where they may come in contact with water.
Frozen water pipes? Never try to thaw them with a
blow torch or other open flame, (otherwise the pipe could conduct the
heat and ignite the wall structure inside the wall space). Use hot water
or a UL labled device such as a hand held dryer for thawing.
If windows are used as emergency exits in your
home, practice using them in the event fire should strike. Be sure that
all windows open easily. Home escape ladders are recommended.
If there is a fire hydrant near your home you can
assist the fire department by keeping the hydrant clear of snow so in
the event it is needed, it can be located.
FINALLY...
Be sure every level of your home has a working
smoke detector, and be sure to check and clean it on a monthly basis.
Contact your local fire department for advice if
your have a question on Home Fire Safety.
For more information or copies of this publication,
please contact:
Federal Emergency Management Agency
U. S. Fire Administration
16825 S. Seton Ave. Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727
Our certified chimney sweeps will be happy to assist you in safety
inspections, chimney repair, chimney reline questions or any
fireplace,
dryer venting needs.
We
service all of Johnson County, Kansas City Missouri, Northland KCMO,
Lee´s Summit, Blue Springs, Desoto, Shawnee Mission, Lenexa and
everywhere in Between.
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