News

Cold temps have arrived: Time to turn up the heat up on fire safety

Monday, October 05, 2009

From a Prescott Fire Department Press Release...

(October 1, 2009) With cooler temperatures expected in coming weeks it is important that citizens in residential homes and commercial businesses check their heating equipment.

Annually, Prescott Fire Department responds to residential homes and commercial businesses for heater related emergencies. Often the cause for these fire department responses is improperly maintained heater systems being started for the first time in the fall and winter season. After a long spring and summer, the heating elements will collect dust, and when first used may get hot and cause a burning odor and produce smoke. There is always a chance that if enough dust and debris is collected that it could catch fire.

Additionally, the use of space heaters is very common in both homes and businesses. These devices need to be used as they are listed and should always maintain 3' clearance from combustible materials, and never be left unattended. The Prescott Fire Department would like to avoid life and property loss in our community this winter season due to heating equipment.

Some safety tips for residential homes and commercial business owners this fall and winter season:

—Install your stationary (fixed) space heater according to manufacturer's instructions or applicable codes or better yet, have it installed by a professional.

—Plug your electric-powered space heater into an outlet with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.

—In your fireplace or wood stove, use only dry, seasoned wood to avoid the build-up of creosote, an oily deposit that easily catches fire and accounts for most chimney fires and the largest share of home heating fires generally. Use only paper or kindling wood, not a flammable liquid, to start the fire. Do not use artificial logs in wood stoves.

—Maintain 3' clearance in front of your fireplace or stove area from combustible materials.

—Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room. Allow fireplace and woodstove ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container, which is kept a safe distance from your home.

—Turn off space heaters whenever the room they are in is unoccupied or under circumstances when manufacturer's instructions say they should be turned off. Portable space heaters are easy to knock over in the dark that they should be turned off when you go to bed, but make sure your primary heating equipment for the bedrooms is sufficient to avoid risks to residents from severe cold.

—Do not use your oven to heat your home. —Avoid using electrical space heaters in bathrooms. —Inspect all heating equipment annually and clean as necessary. —Keep trash and other combustibles away from your heating system. —Test smoke alarms monthly; install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area. —Contact a local maintenance heating and cooling company to come and service your heating unit prior to use.

Please enjoy a safe fall and winter season. If you have any questions contact the Prescott Fire Department at 928-777-1760.