Heating with Fire Safety Tips

Residential fires are most prevalent during the winter heating months.  With the colder temperatures, many people spend more time indoors using fireplaces, woodstoves, and space heaters to stay warm.  Children and pets are especially at risk when these heating sources are exposed.

Stay Safe
Stay safe and warm this winter by following these basic safety rules:

• Avoid placing combustible objects closer than 3 feet from heating equipment
• Don’t place objects directly in front of electric or fuel burning heating equipment, such as base board heaters, radiators or heating vents
• Use a metal fireplace screen in front of the fireplace when a fire is going
• Always allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose of ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep the ash container at least 10 feet away from the home and any other nearby buildings.
• Be sure to have furnaces and chimneys inspected prior to start of the heating season
• Place space heaters at a minimum of 3 feet from objects
• Be sure to turn space heaters off when leaving the building or going to bed

Be Prepared!
No matter how careful you are with home heating, always be prepared in case fire strikes.

• Place smoke detectors on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area. Test your smoke detectors regularly and replace batteries twice a year.
• Make and practice a home escape plan. Once the smoke alarm sounds, you may only have seconds or minutes to escape safely.  Make sure that all doors and windows work easily.  Know of at least two ways out of every room.

For information and resources on this and other fire safety topics, visit www.vtfiresafety.org.