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Heating

Heating

Space heater

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.

Top Safety Tips

  • 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.

Electrical Heater Live Fire Demo

January 28, 2019

Heating Safety Resources

  • USFA - US Fire Administration (Heating)
  • NFPA - National Fire Protection Association (Heating)
  • NFPA - National Fire Protection Association (Winter Fires)
  • CPSC - Consumer Production Safety Commission (Space Heaters)

Rev 02/2021

Fire Prevention & Education

  • Carbon Monoxide
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  • Lesson plans
  • Smoke Alarms
  • Smoking
  • Fire Safe Cigarettes
  • Fire & Life Safety
  • Smoke Alarm Program & Grants

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North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal

Physical Address:
Albemarle Building
325 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh NC 27603-5926

Mailing Address:
Office of State Fire Marshall
1201 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1201

Toll Free 800-634-7854

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