According to the National Fire Protection Agency latest heating equipment statistics, space heaters were most often responsible for home heating equipment fires, accounting for more than two in five fires, as well as the vast majority of associated deaths and injuries. Fireplaces or chimneys were involved in approximately three in 10 home heating equipment fires. Other leading types of home heating equipment fires included central heat systems and water heaters, with each accounting for approximately one in 10 heating equipment fires.
NFPA offers these tips and guidelines for safely heating your home safely during the winter months.
• Heating equipment and chimneys should be cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet (one meter) away from all heating equipment, including furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, and space heaters.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, as specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters. Have questions about that just call or email us!
• Create a three-foot (one meter) “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Make sure space heaters are in good working order and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Fireplaces should have a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container, which should be placed outside at least 10 feet away from your home.
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
• If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.
• Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are located throughout the home; test them monthly to ensure that they’re working properly.
Professional Furnace Services and Installation in Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale and all of Whatcom County.
If you run into a problem with your home’s heating or cooling system or just have general questions, we are here to assist! Give us a call at 360-410-9159 to schedule an appointment and learn more today!