Heaters can be dangerous if not used correctly. Eighty percent (80%) of all fire deaths occur in the home and heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the cool and cold weather months of the year. It trails only cooking equipment in home fires year-round. As we have the first extreme cold weather predictions of the winter season, the Smithtown Fire Department wants to remind everyone to heat your homes with care by following these safety tips!
GENERAL HEATING SAFETY TIPS
- Keep children and pets away from all heating appliances.
- Use heaters that are tested and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
- Buy a heater that is the correct size for the area you want to heat.
- Read and follow all of the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
- Never use or store flammable liquids around any heating appliance.
- Have at least one smoke alarm on each floor and outside sleeping areas.
- Install a UL approved carbon monoxide alarms near all sleeping areas.
- Have an ABC-type fire extinguisher in the home at all times.
- Keep areas around heating appliances free of papers, trash, and any other combustible items.
- Develop and practice a home fire escape plan before a fire occurs.
- Have annual safety checks on all home-heating equipment.
SAFETY TIPS FOR KEROSENE SPACE HEATERS
- Never use gasoline in a kerosene heater.
- Only use K-1 kerosene in kerosene heaters. Kerosene should be purchased from a dealer who can certify that it is K-1 grade kerosene.
- Never over-fill the fuel tank of a kerosene heater beyond the full mark.
- Do not attempt to refuel the heater when it is operating or hot.
- Always refuel kerosene heaters outside and when completely cooled.
- If flare-up or flaming occurs, do not attempt to move the heater. If activation of the shut-off switch does not extinguish the flame, leave the area and immediately and call the fire department.
- Keep heaters at least three feet away from bedding, furniture and drapes.
- Never leave a space heater on when you sleep or leave the area.
- Keep kerosene stored outside in a sealed blue container labeled “Kerosene.”
SAFETY TIPS FOR PORTABLE ELECTRIC SPACE HEATERS
- Use a heater with a tip-over switch that will turn the heater off if it is tipped over.
- Use heaters on the floor, never place heaters on furniture.
- Do not use heaters in wet or moist places unless certified for that purpose.
- Do not place cords under rugs or set anything on top of the cord.
- Do not use an extension cord.
- Be sure the plug fits snugly and properly into the outlet.
- Broken heaters should be repaired by a qualified appliance service technician.
SAFETY TIPS FOR GAS SPACE HEATERS
- Have your gas heater professionally installed and inspected.
- Gas heaters can cause carbon monoxide poisoning if they are not vented properly.
- Light the match before you turn on the gas to the pilot.
- If you smell gas, do not attempt to light the appliance. Call the fire department.
SAFETY TIPS FOR FIREPLACES, WOOD OR COAL BURNING HEATERS
- Follow building codes and the manufacturer’s instructions during installation.
- Check chimney and stovepipes frequently during the heating season for creosote build- up and have them cleaned/inspected annually.
- Do not burn trash or anything other than the proper fuel.
- Use only dry, seasoned hardwoods in your fireplace or woodstove.
- Use a glass or mesh fireplace screen to keep embers or sparks from leaving the fireplace.
Use a separate metal container for ash removal.
