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Room Heating

Space heaters and heating stoves are used throughout the nation to increase the warmth in rooms. They do the job but can be dangerous. In order to use them safely, follow these guidelines.

· Never use a fuel burning appliance without proper vents to the outside. Burning fuel kerosene, coal or propane, for example produces deadly fumes.

· Be sure your heater is in good working condition. All room heaters need frequent checkups and cleaning. A dirty or neglected heater is a critical fire hazard.

· Use only the proper fuel for each heater. Never introduce a fuel into a unit not designed for that fuel.

· Never quicken a fire with kerosene or gasoline.

· Keep gasoline or other flammable liquids stored outside of the home at all times.

· Maintain adequate clearance in all directions around space heaters and heating stoves. (Surrounding surfaces should not become too hot for your bare hand.) Three feet is the minimum.

· Use a screen around stoves or space heaters which have open flames. Give the heater adequate clearance from walls and combustibles such as clothes racks, curtains, beds, or other furniture.

· If you use an electric heater, be sure your house wiring is adequate. Avoid overloading the circuit and overloading extension cords.

· Avoid using electric space heaters in bathrooms and certainly do not touch one when you're wet.

· Avoid the use of Kerosene Heaters.

· When refueling an oil unit, don't overfill it. If cold fuel is used, it will expand as it warms up inside your home and may cause burner-flooding; this could cause flare-ups. Don't fill your heater while it is burning.

· Keep young children away from space heaters-particularly when they are wearing nightgowns. The nightgowns can be sucked in by a draft created by the heater and ignited.

· If you are using an approved, UL labeled space heater or heating stove in your bedroom, turn off your heater or turn it low before going to bed. When using a fuel burning heater in the bedroom, open the window. Ventilation prevents suffocation that can be caused by a heater consuming oxygen.

· Use ONLY safety listed equipment. If you choose an oil heater, look for the UL label; a gas appliance, the AGA or UL label; or an electric heater, the UL label.

Fireplaces

When temperatures inside are kept down, a crackling fire in the fireplace is a cozy and cheery way to keep warm but these fires, if not carefully tended, could cause tragedy. To use them safely, follow these guidelines:

· Do not use flammable liquids to start the fire.

· Keep a metal screen in front of your fireplace. Flying embers can start fires.

· Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite soot in the chimney by overbuilding the fire.

· Never burn charcoal in your fireplace, in a charcoal broiler or in a hibachi unit inside your home. Burning charcoal gives off deadly amounts of carbon monoxide.

· Be sure no flammable materials hang down from or decorate your mantel. A spark from your fireplace fire could ignite these materials and cause a fire.

· When you go to bed, be sure your fireplace fire is out. Never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper can help hot ashes build up heat to the point where a fire could flare up and ignite the room while you are asleep.

· If your fireplace hasn't been used for some time, have it and the chimney checked before using.

· Follow the directions on the package if you use man-made logs. Never break a man-made log apart to quicken the fire.

Furnace Heating

It's important that you have your furnace checked out and cleaned regularly, and that it be in good working condition. Furnace fire safety tips need to be observed all year round. Some things you should know:

· Be sure all furnace automatic controls and emergency shutoffs are in good condition.

· Leave furnace work to experts. Don't attempt repairs unless you are qualified.

· Have the repair man check the wall and ceiling near the furnace and flue. If they are hot, additional insulation or clearance may be needed.

· Check the flue pipes. Are they well supported? Free of holes and clean?

· Is the chimney solid? No cracks or loose bricks? All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry. Are they?

· Keep trash and combustible storage away from the heating system.

· Don't store hot ashes in the home; take them outside immediately.

Kitchen Stoves

· Never use a gas range or an oven to heat your kitchen. Any unvented fuel burning appliance is capable of producing deadly levels of carbon monoxide.

· Don't leave lit oven doors open. Children could burn themselves on the heating elements.

Detection and Escape

Install a smoke detector outside the bedroom areas on the ceiling and on every living area of your home. Have a fire escape plan and have the entire family practice it. If windows are emergency exits in your home, train your family to use them in case a fire should strike and see that the storm windows open easily. Plan a meeting place outside for all family members to meet after practicing your drill. This will help to ensure that everyone has escaped the building safely.

Miscellaneous

Frozen pipes? Don't try to thaw them with a blowtorch or other open flames. Use hot water or a UL labeled device for thawing; otherwise a fire could be the result. Is there a fire hydrant outside of your home? If there should be a fire, firefighters need to be able to hook their hose up to that hydrant. Shovel the snow away from the hydrant. It may save your home or that of your neighbors.

If a Fire Strikes, Sound the Alarm, Leave the Building Quickly, and Stay Outside.
Notify the Fire Department by Dialing 911 and Say
"I Want to Report A Fire.

Home Fire Safety Checklist

How many of these hazards can you eliminate in your home?
If you answer "NO" to at least one of these questions, then the time for action is NOW.

· Have you removed all combustible rubbish, leaves, and debris from your yard?

· Have you removed all waste, debris, and litter from your garage?

· If you store paint, varnish, etc., in your garage, are the containers tightly closed?

· Is there an approved safety can for the storing of gasoline for the lawn mowers, snowblowers, and snowmobiles, etc.?

· Do you keep your basement, storerooms, and attic free from rubbish, oily rags, old papers, mattresses, and broken furniture?

· Is there a sufficient number of metal cans with lids for rubbish and combustible debris?

· Are stoves, broilers, and other cooking equipment kept clean and free of grease?

· Are curtains near stoves arranged to prevent their blowing over the burners or flames?

· Are members of the family forbidden to start fires in stoves or fireplaces with kerosene or other flammable liquids?

· Do you always see that your portable space heater is placed well away from curtains, drapes, furniture, etc.?

· Are all of your electrical appliances including irons, mixers, heaters, lamps, fans, radios, television sets, and other devices "UL" listed?

· Do all rooms have an adequate number of outlets to take care of electrical appliances?

· Have you done away with all multiple attachment plugs?

· Are all flexible electrical extension and lamp cords in your home in the open? ( None placed under rugs, over hooks, through partitions or door openings)

· Do you keep matches in a metal container away from heat and away from children?

· Do you extinguish all matches, cigarettes, and cigar butts carefully before disposing of them?

· Do you see to it that there are plenty of noncombustible ash trays in all rooms throughout the house?

· Are all members of the family instructed not to smoke in bed?

· Do you know that the number to the Southwest Greensburg Fire Department is 911?

· Do you have a home escape plan in case of a fire?

· Do you hold home fire drills at least once a month?

· When you employ babysitters, do you instruct them what to do in case of a fire?

· Did your entire family take part in completing this checklist?

· Do you at least have a smoke detector on every level of your home, and within 15 feet of your bedrooms?

Portable Fire Extinguishers

When used properly, portable fire extinguishers can help save lives and property. They are also useful in containing small fires until the fire department arrives.

Portable home fire extinguishers are not designed to extinguish large or spreading fires. Even against small fires, they are useful only under certain conditions. Before using a portable fire extinguisher, be sure the fire department has been notified. A few things to remember are.

Fire Extinguishers ARE designed for:

· Small fires

· Confined fire areas

· People who have read the directions earlier

Fire Extinguishers ARE NOT designed for:

· Large fires

· Rapidly growing fires

· People who are unfamiliar with fire extinguisher use

Fire extinguishers come in different classes. Know what is on fire and use the proper extinguisher.

WARNING! Using a fire extinguisher on the wrong class of fire can MAKE THE FIRE WORSE!

When a fire occurs always:

· First notify 911, and sound any alarms

Fire Safety Tips for the Bar-B-Q

There are three types of grills on the market.

1. Propane gas grills which use propane tanks.

2. Natural gas grills which use gas piped in from your house.
CAUTION: These two types of grills are not interchangeable. Make sure all fittings are tight, and there is adequate ventilation.

3. Charcoal grills which use charcoal briquettes and lighter fluid.

Ten Safety Tips

1. Read all instructions before using your grill. Note safety, operation and handling instructions.

2. Clean grill thoroughly before and after using. This is to avoid grease build up that can cause flare-ups and/or fire. NEVER put lighter fluid directly on flames!

3. Keep all grilling activities away from buildings, houses and garages.

4. Use all grills outdoors. Never grill inside houses, garages or on wooden porches.

5. Store all lighting fluids away from children.

6. Have a multipurpose A-B-C fire extinguisher, a garden hose, bucket of water or sand nearby.

7. Keep all children and pets away from grilling area (at least 5 feet in all directions).

8. Never leave cooking unattended.

9. Use proper grilling utensils for safe handling.

10. Use only fluids recommended for charcoal grilling, and dispose of charcoal properly in a metal container dowsed with water. Check cooking area for proper extinguishment.

Space Heater Safety Tips

WHILE SPACE HEATERS ARE LEGAL AND WIDELY USED AS AN ALTERNATIVE HEAT SOURCE, THE SOUTHWEST GREENSBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT RECOMMEND THEIR USE BECAUSE THEY CAN POSE CERTAIN HAZARDS. IF YOU HAVE A SPACE HEATER, OR ARE CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF A SPACE HEATER, THE SOUTHWEST GREENSBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION VITAL TO YOUR SAFETY.

· Always make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working.

· Never use fuel burning appliances without proper ventilation. Burning fuel (kerosene, coal, or propane, for example) produces deadly fumes.

· Be sure your space heater is in good working condition. All space heaters need frequent checkups and cleaning. A dirty or neglected heater is a critical fire hazard.

· Use only the proper fuel for each heater. Never introduce a fuel into a heating unit not designed for that unit.

· Store kerosene, gasoline or other flammable liquids outside the home at all times.

· Use an approved safety can for the storing of flammable liquids.

· Maintain adequate clearance in all directions around space heaters. Give the heater adequate clearance - 3 feet is the minimum - from walls and combustibles, such as clothes, curtains, beds or other furniture.

· Never leave children unsupervised in a room with a space heater.

· Keep young children away from space heaters, particularly when they are wearing nightgowns which can be drawn into the heater by a draft and ignited.

· If you use an electric heater, be sure your house wiring is adequate. Avoid overloading the circuit. Avoid using extension cords. Use an approved power strip with a built-in circuit breaker.

· Never cover a heater's cord with carpeting or furniture. This could cause the cord to overheat and start a fire.

· Avoid using electric space heaters in the bathroom. Never touch an electric heater when you are wet.

· When refueling a kerosene heater, avoid overfilling it. If cold kerosene is used, it will expand as it warms up inside your home and may cause burner flooding. This could cause flare ups.

· Never fill your kerosene heater while it is burning.

· Turn off your heater or turn it on low before going to bed.

· When using a fuel burning heater, open a window to provide adequate ventilation.

· Use only safety listed equipment. Space heaters should be labeled with U.L. or A.G.A certification.

· PROPANE FUELED SPACE HEATERS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE USE OF PROPANE FUELED SPACE HEATERS IN ANY RESIDENCE IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

During the heating season. Please insure that all flu's and chimneys are cleaned and inspected prior to use. Make sure that all ducting is not obstructed and that filters are clean.

When cleaning ashes from your woodstove or fireplace, place them in a metal container with a lid and keep them away from the house or any other combustible material. These ashes and coals can and will remain hot for several days. The back porch is not the proper area for hot materials to be stored.

If using portable fuel operated heaters, ensure that unit has cooled off prior to refueling. Refuel outdoors away from spark producing materials. Make sure that flammable materials cannot come into contact with the heater when in use, and that proper ventilation is maintained. Store any fuels out doors in a well ventilated area.

Should your power go out use battery operated lights, avoid using candles. If you use candles do not leave them unattended. If you use a generator ensure that proper electrical switches and breakers are used to prevent current from feeding into the power distribution lines causing injury or death to linemen making repairs. Should you come across downed electrical lines stay well away from the area and notify authorities.

Change the batteries in your smoke detectors, and test for proper operation.

Ensure that your address is posted clearly on your mailbox or on a post located at your driveway entrance in large numbers, This will up us find your home in a quicker manner should an emergency arise. Encourage your neighbors to do the same.

If you have a fire hydrant in the area of your home, help maintain the area around it, keep the area free of debris such as brush, leaves, garbage, snow, etc... If you notice damage to the hydrant report it to the water authority. It may be needed to fight a fire in your home.