In this past week the Susanville Fire Department has responded to three preventable heating-related fires, according to Engineer Kalvn McFarland who, along with National Fire Prevention Association, are offering some simple steps to help prevent these types of fires. Half of home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January and February.
Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater, have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
Never use your oven to heat your home.
Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions. Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.
Fuel-burning space heaters should be used in a well ventilated area.
Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Fire place ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container, do not place them in a plastic container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home and do not store the ashes on your deck or porch. Don’t dump ashes into vegetation or on or near combustible materials.
