Winter Fire Safety Tips
Source: US Fire Administration
Be sure the fireplace or stove is install properly. Wood stoves should have adequate clearance (36 inches) from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection.
Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design
Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned, as necessary.
Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire
Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening
A wood stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup
Don’t use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. Overbuilding a fire can ignite creosote buildup.
Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.
Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel.
Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. NEVER close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace.
NEVER break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time. Synthetic logs often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.
Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition.
Do not attempt repairs yourself; leave furnace repairs to qualified specialists.
Inspect the walls and ceiling near the furnace and along the chimney line.
Check the flue pipe and pipe seams; soot along or around the seams may be an indicator of a leak.
Keep trash and other combustibles away from the heating system.
Never use fuel burning appliances without proper room venting.
Burning fuel (coal, kerosene, or propane, for example) can produce deadly fumes.
Keep kerosene, or other flammable liquids stored in approved metal containers, in well ventilated storage areas, outside of the house.
NEVER fill the heater while it is operating or hot. Avoid overfilling.
Refueling should be done outside of the home – or outside.
Keep young children away from space heaters.
When using a fuel burning appliance in the bedroom, be sure there is proper ventilation to prevent a buildup of carbon monoxide.
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