For our final week of 2022 Fire Prevention Month, we are highlighting the fire risks related to heating which is the second main cause of home fires in the U.S. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) based on 2014-2018 annual averages, most home heating fire deaths (81%) involved stationary or portable space heaters and half of the home heating fire deaths were caused by having heating equipment to close too things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing mattresses or bedding.
Take Precautions When Heating Your Home
- A fire can start and spread quickly if curtains, furniture, pillows, papers or other items are too close to a baseboard or portable heater.
- Keep ALL objects away from heaters and never permit any item to drape across heaters.
- All heating devices need space! Keep a minimum distance of twelve inches/30cm for baseboard heaters and three feet/90 cm for portable space heaters.
- Never use an extension cord with a portable heater instead, plug heaters directly into a wall outlet.
- Turn portable heaters off before leaving the room or before going to bed.
- Remember, a baseboard heater may still come on, even if the heater is turned off.
- Inspect all heating equipment yearly and always hire an experienced electrician to do any necessary repair work on heating equipment.
- Clean or replace furnace filters regularly.
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