Too-dry and lighted Christmas trees, holiday candles, and wood-burning fireplaces and stoves can especially be fire hazards this time of the year – if attention is not paid and precautions not considered.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Christmas trees should be placed away from heating sources; only non-flammable lights should be used; and, lights should not be left on when leaving the home or going to bed. Dry Christmas trees should be promptly discarded from home.
Did you know?
- Space heaters, whether portable or stationary, account for just over two out of five (44%) home heating fires and four out of five (86%) home heating fire deaths? The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) is failure to clean creosote from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
- Fifty-four percent of home heating fire deaths are attributed to heating equipment too close to objects that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses, or bedding?
- Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occur in the three winter months? January and February are normally the coldest.
Since most home fires happen in the winter, it is important to be careful with space heaters. It is also important to make sure your smoke alarms are working.
Here are a few things to remember:
- Keep items at least three-feet away from heating equipment, such as the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
- Have a 3-foot, kid-free zone around open fires and space heaters.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters, or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified
- professional.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Always plug space heaters into a wall electrical outlet. Never use an extension cord for space heaters.
- Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
- When refueling kerosene heaters, be sure to move them outside to refill.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.
- Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
Hoping you stay warm and safe this winter.