Tips for:
Furnaces, Space Heaters,
Coal and Wood Stoves, Fireplaces,
Barbecues, Smoke and
Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Facts and Figures,
Safety Tips
With
the recent temperature drop, city residents have begun using
portable heating devices to help keep their homes warm. While many
are anxious to get their units up and running quickly, safe measures
and precautions should always be taken to ensure a safe, warm home
through the upcoming winter. Heating equipment is the leading cause
of home fires during the months of December, January and February,
and trails only cooking equipment in home fires year-round.
Space Heaters
Residents that utilize wall space heaters or other heating device
should remember to pull all furniture and other combustible items at
least three feet away from any heating devices Space heaters are
temporary heating devices and should only be used for a limited time
each day and should never be connected to an outlet with an
extension cord. When not in use, be sure to unplug the unit and let
it cool down if you will be storing the unit. Keep a window ajar or
the door open in a room where an unvented heater is in use. Never
use heaters to dry clothing or other combustibles. Electric heaters
with frayed or damaged cords should never be used. Young children
should be kept away from any appliance that has hot surfaces that
can cause burns. Kerosene heaters should be cleaned and wicks
replaced annually.
Fireplaces
Before using the fireplace for the first time in a season, make sure
the flue is open. The flue is a trap door that keeps heat out in the
summer and cool air from coming in when the fireplace is not in use.
You can check it by looking up the chimney to see if you are able to
see daylight. If there are any obstructions, remove them. If not
removed, these obstructions will cause carbon monoxide to back up
into your home. Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless and invisible
gas. Artificial logs made from wax and sawdust should be used one at
a time. Pressure-treated wood should not be burned in stoves or
fireplaces because it contains toxic chemicals that can make you
sick. Never leave a fireplace unattended. Chimneys and vents should
be inspected and cleaned annually. Have chimneys inspected and
cleaned when necessary by a professional chimney sweep. Creosote is
an unavoidable product of wood-burning stoves and fireplaces.
Creosote builds up in connectors and chimney flues and can cause a
chimney fire. Don't burn newspapers or other trash in a fireplace
because they burn too hot and can ignite a chimney fire.
Gas or Electric
Furnaces
Gas or electric furnaces that have not been used for several months
will most likely have a build-up of dust and dirt on heating
elements. This can cause a burning smell and even a light haze of
white smoke when first operated for the season. This smell and haze
are not harmful, and will take only several uses before all the dust
and dirt on the heating unit are burnt away. To be safe, try to run
the furnace on a warm day while opening all windows so the smell can
escape. If the smoke turns black and the furnace starts to rumble
leave the building immediately and call the fire department by
dialing 911.
Smoke
Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Test your home smoke alarms at least once per week. Do this by
pressing the test button on the unit. Some newer models also feature
the ability to test the unit with a flashlight as well. If you are
unsure as to whether your unit has this feature, check your
operations manual or consult the manufacturer.
If you do not have one already installed, install a carbon
monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, odorless,
invisible gas, which is absorbed by the human body 200 times faster
than oxygen. Carbon monoxide will cause people to fall into a deep
sleep and cause death. Gas fireplaces, gas stoves, barbecues, gas
furnaces, automobiles, propane appliances and any other device that
produces a flame will produce carbon monoxide.
Coal and Wood Burning
Stoves
Use coal only if specifically approved by the stove manufacturer.
Gasoline or other flammable liquids should never be used to start a
wood fire since it might explode or flare up. Never use gasoline in
kerosene heaters. Gasoline or other flammable liquids should never
be used to start a wood fire since it might explode or flare up. The
directions on artificial logs made from wax and sawdust say they
should be used one at a time in fireplaces and never used in wood
stoves. This is because the heat can melt the log causing it to
flare up or leak burning liquid from the appliance. Pressure-treated
wood should not be burned in stoves or fireplaces because it
contains toxic chemicals that can make you sick.
Barbecues
Barbecues should never be used indoors or as a heating device.
Barbecues produce large amounts of carbon monoxide.
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Facts & Figures*
Safety Tips:
- Space heaters need space. Portable space heaters need a
three-foot (one meter) clearance from anything that can burn and
should always be turned off when leaving the room or 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.
- Wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, chimney
connectors, and all other solid-fueled heating equipment need to
be inspected annually by a professional and cleaned as often as
the inspections indicate.
- 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. Also, be sure that portable
kerosene heaters are legal for home use in your state.
- When turning a 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.
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