Winter Fire Safety

By Samantha Gleissner

When it starts to get cold rainy outside the threat of wildfires can be reduced, but those are the times when home fires become more prevalent. Heating, candle and electrical fires are just a few dangers associated with winter today.  I’d like to discuss some of the more common holiday fire dangers and how to avoid those dangers.

According to the USFA, heating fires are the second leading cause of residential building fires, and confined heating fires (those confined to a specific area of the structure) make up 86% of residential heating fires. The USFA also states that heating equipment should be given a minimum of three feet of clearance from any potentially flammable objects to avoid accidental fires. Children should also be taught to maintain a safe distance from the heating equipment when it is in use; the same three feet is recommended, but use your best judgment based on the age of the child. Turning off heaters when you go to bed or leave the room will help mitigate the threats of unattended heater fires, and you should never plug a heater into a loose socket or extension cord. It is best to plug the heater directly into the wall socket and assure it fits firmly and will not become loose and become a potential fire hazard.

If you are using a wood or pellet stove to heat an area, you should always be sure to follow the instructions for use carefully. Before beginning any burning for the winter, you should check your stove for cracks or damage, and always be sure to check your chimney and flue for creosote buildup as this can increase the danger of a chimney/flue fire. There are chimney-cleaning businesses you can contact if you are uncertain how to care for your stove before winter heating. There are also several tools that can help remove creosote buildup in chimneys such as the Creosote Sweeping Log and other similar items, although it is always good to consult a professional in the area if you are uncertain what you can or cannot use.

Besides the potential dangers of fire damage, winter heating can have other dangers as well. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is another potential issue when it comes to home heating. Not only is carbon monoxide odorless, colorless and tasteless, but it can be emitted by many different forms of heating equipment from woodstoves, and lawn mowers to water heaters and candles. If you live in an area where the power goes out frequently, you should be cautious when using candles and woodstoves for your sole source of light and heat. Try to keep a window cracked and be sure you have plenty of fresh air. CO detectors should generally be purchased for safety reasons, and are actually required in homes in many states. Because you cannot see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide, a detector may be the only way to assure you are heating safely this year. According to the Office of Public Safety and Security, CO alarms should be replaced every 5-7 years.

You shouldn’t be afraid of winter heating fires, but you should always be aware of the danger of a heating fire in your home and do everything you can to operate heating equipment appropriately, and ultimately do your best to mitigate the potential dangers.

For more information on heating equipment safety and CO you can visit:

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/heating/hotspot.shtm

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/v6i3.pdf

http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/dfs/dfs2/osfm/pubed/fs-topics/fs-topics-a/carbon-monoxide-safety.html