HEATING  Safety

There is something about the winter months and curling up with a good book by the fireplace.  But did you know that heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths?  With a few simple safety tips and precautions you can prevent most heating fires from happening.

BE WARM AND SAFE THIS WINTER!

>>>Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace,

          fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heaters.

>>>Have a three-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 manufacture'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 use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.

>>>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 monthly.

    FACT  

Half of home heating fires are 

reported during the months 

of December, January and February.