Alternative Heater Safety Life Saving Tips
Fire Safety Education
- Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Test smoke alarm batteries every month and change them at least once a year. Consider installing a 10 year lithium battery-powered smoke alarm, which is sealed so it cannot be tampered with or opened.
- Kerosene heaters are not permitted in many areas. If you use a kerosene heater, use only the recommended fuel. Always refuel outdoors safely away from your home.
- Allow your heater to cool before refueling and only refuel outdoors.
- Keep the fire in the fireplace by making sure you have a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs.
- Clean your chimney regularly-chimney tar build-up can ignite your chimney, roof, and the whole house.
- Space heaters need space. Keep combustibles at least 3 feet away from each heater.
- When buying a space heater, look for a control feature that automatically shuts off the power if the heater falls over.
- Carefully follow manufacturers' installation and maintenance instructions.
- For wood stove fuel use only seasoned wood, not green wood, artificial logs, or trash.
- In case of a fire, stay low to the ground, beneath the smoke, and have an escape plan already worked out. GET OUT. STAY OUT.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Eighty-two percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
- Heating is the second leading cause of residential fires.
- Deaths due to fires caused by heating a home are particularly preventable.
THIS INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED FROM THE U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION