Madison Fire and Rescue Department urges ‘safety first’ for home heating

MADISON – With the arrival of winter’s chilly environment, Madison Fire and Rescue Department urges ‘Safety First’ with options for home heating.

“There’s something about the winter months and curling up with a good book by the fireplace. But did you know that heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths? With a few simple safety tips and precautions, individuals can prevent most heating fires from happening,” according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Fifty percent of home heating fires occur during December, January and February, according to the fire association.

Firefighters urge individuals to realize the possible fire dangers around a home:

• Keep any materials that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, including the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.

• Create a three-foot “kid-free zone” in the vicinity of open fires and space heaters.

• Never use a stove’s oven to heat a room or the entire house.

• Have a qualified professional worker to install stationary equipment for space heating, water heaters or central heating units, according to local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.

• Install wood-burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional technician to install the equipment. All fuel-burning units should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide or CO poisoning.

• Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning. If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call the local fire department or gas company.

• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.

• Remember to turn off portable heaters when you leave the room or go to bed.

• Always use the correct kind of fuel, as the manufacturer specifies, for fuel- burning space heaters.

• Confirm that the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting the material in a metal container; keep the container at a safe distance from the house.

• Test smoke alarms at least once each month.

The National Fire Protection Association is the leading resource for information and knowledge about the hazards of fire, electricity and related threats. For more information, visit nfpa.org/education.