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Winter Fires: Prevention & Safety

Home Fires occur more in winter than any other season, and heating equipment is involved in one of every six reported home fires.  In fact, 50% of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February.  Here are some helpful tips to help you stay warm AND safe this Winter season.

General Winter Safety Tips

  • Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators or space heaters.
  • Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month – Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, propane, etc. do not burn completely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of CO. Carbon monoxide incidents are more common during the winter months, and in residential properties.
  • Be sure every level of your home has a working smoke alarm, and check and clean it every month.
  • Plug only 1 heat-producing appliance (like a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.
  • Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year.
  • Store cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep it outside at least 10 feet from your home and any nearby buildings.
  • Never use your oven or stovetop to heat your home. They are not designed for this purpose and can be a fire hazard.
  • If you smoke, use only fire-safe cigarettes and smoke outside.
  • Practice Candle Safety – Keep them at least a foot from anything flammable, never leave them unattended and place them out of reach from children. Make it a routine to check that all flames are extinguished before you go to bed or leave the room.
  • Have a Fire Extinguisher on Hand – Fire extinguishers should be stored where they are easily reachable and in key rooms where there is a higher risk for fires such as the kitchen, garage and areas with heating appliances.

Portable Generator Safety Tips

  • Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from all doors, windows and vents.
  • Make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
  • Do not use a generator in a wet area. This can cause shock or electrocution.
  • If unable to plug appliances directly into the generator, be sure to use heavy-duty extension cords when connecting appliances to the generator.
  • Do not fuel your generator when it is running. Spilling gas on a hot engine can cause a fire.  Be sure to turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling.
  • Store fuel for the generator in an approved safety can. Use the type of fuel recommended in the instructions or on the label on the generator.
  • Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. Known as “back-feeding,” this practice puts utility workers, your neighbors and your household at risk of electrocution.  It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices.
  • If necessary, stagger the operating times for various equipment to prevent overloads.
  • Read the instructions provided with your generator to ensure proper use, connection and capacity.

 

Links for additional resources –

https://www.unionmutual.com/blog/home-heating-safety/

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/electrical-fire-safety-infographic.pdf

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/portable_generators_winter_storms_flyer.pdf