Heating | OSFM

Did You Know...

Space heaters, whether portable or stationary, account for just over two out of five (44%) home heating fires and four out of five (86%) home heating fire deaths.
The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) is failure to clean creosote from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
54% of home heating fire deaths are contributed to heating equipment too close to objects that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses, or bedding.
Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February.

Keep anything that can burn, at least three-feet away from heating equipment, such as 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.
When refueling kerosene heaters, be sure to move them outside to refill.
Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

January 28, 2019