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Fire Safety
Heating Safety
Know the Facts — According to NFPA...
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On average, there are 59,100 reported home fires per year associated with
heating equipment, killing 468 people and injuring 1,592.
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Heating fires are second leading cause of home fires. During the months of
December, January, and February, heating is the leading cause of home fires.
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Most heating fires involve space heaters, not central furnaces.
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Installing space heaters too close to combustibles (or placing combustibles
too close to them) are major causes of space heater fires.
Heating safety tip
Chimneys and Heating Systems: Have chimneys and heating systems
checked at least once a year and cleaned, if needed, by trained professionals.
(Fires in wood-burning heating equipment are often caused by the build-up of
creosote, which are deposits of unburned fuel.)
Safety Advice
- Space heaters need space. Space heaters should be at least three
feet from the walls, furniture, and anything that can burn, including
people and pets.
- Always use the proper fuel in a heater. For example, never use
gasoline for fuel in a heater designed to use kerosene or oil.
- Portable space heaters should be turned off every time you leave the
room or go to sleep.
- Have a sturdy screen on your fireplace. A metal screen or built-in
glass doors will keep sparks from flying into the room.
Also see our information on
Wood Burning Stoves and
Heating with Storm Damaged Wood.
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