In order to avoid these increased costs in electricity, many people use alternative heating sources such as, space heaters, gas and wood burning fire places, and kerosine heaters, to keep warm inside their homes. These alternative heating sources are convenient, affordable and often quite effective in providing enough heat for a person to stay cozy with minimal use of their central heating unit. However, when used improperly, these items can become a deadly fire hazard, threatening the safety of you and your loved ones. Thousands of fires occur each year due to the improper use of alternative heating sources, so the National Home Safety Council provides a few tips for how they should and should not be used, in order to assure you stay not only warm but safe during the cold months.
FOR SPACE HEATER SAFETY
- Upon purchasing a new space heater, prior to your very first use, make sure that your heater has been tested for safety. To be certain that the machine you purchased has met safety and quality control regulations, look for ETL, UL, or CSA labels (both on the box and the machine itself). If any of these labels are present, the machine has passed inspection and been deemed safe for purchase and use of product by consumers.
-Always remember to always place space heaters flat on the floor and out of harm's way. All space heaters should be kept a minimum of 3ft away from people, pets and anything else that can burn. An easy way to remember this 3 ft rule is to make a mental note to always, "Give Space Heaters Space". Also, you should never drape wet clothes or towels over space heaters to dry, and never attempt to dry your hair using a space heater.
-Never plug a space heater into an extension chord, instead always plug directly into a wall outlet.
-Always turn off AND unplug your space heater before going out of the house or to bed.
-Never leave children or pets unsupervised in a room where a space heater is in use.
FIREPLACE SAFETY
-Prior to your first use of your fireplace each winter season, it is a good idea to seek a professional Chimney Sweep to come out to your home for a full chimney inspection and cleaning, if they find that this is necessary upon initial inspection.
 | |
| Fire Place Screen |
-Never make a fire in your home, without the use a fireplace screen to prevent open flames and pieces of burning wood from flying out and burning people or pets nearby, and from reaching any household items such as carpet and furniture, which are extremely flammable.
KEROSINE HEATER SAFETY
- Place kerosene heaters several feet away from all furniture, curtains, papers, clothes, bedding and other combustible materials.
-Remember that kerosene heaters have a constant open flame and should not be used in a room where there are flammable solvents, aerosol sprays, lacquers, gasoline, kerosene containers or any type of oil.
-Never attempt to move a lighted kerosene heater. Even a carrying handle could cause a burn. Extinguish the flame and allow the heater to cool before moving it.
- Never refuel a kerosene heater in living quarters or when the heater is still hot. Wait for it to cool.
- Fire officials strongly urge that kerosene heaters be turned off before you go to sleep. It's better to use your central heating system while the family is sleeping.
-You can lessen the fire, serious burn, pollution and asphyxiation dangers from kerosene heaters by:
1. Following safety tips.
2. Maintaining a constant source of fresh air
3. Keeping doors to other rooms open
FOR ALL HEATING SAFETY
*Keep a working fire extinguisher in an accessible area on each level of a house.
*Know how to operate your fire extinguisher.
*Have at least 1 working smoke alarm in each sleeping quarter of your home. Check and refresh the batteries often.
*Have at least 1 working carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home. Check and refresh the batteries often.
Hi! nice post. Well what can I say is that these is an interesting and very informative topic. Thanks for sharing.Cheers!
ReplyDelete- The Heating Contractors Woburn MA