Focus on Fire Safety: Winter Fire Safety

During the winter months, residential fires are more prevalent than = they are=20 in the spring or summer. This is due in part to an increase in the = number of=20 cooking and heating fires.

With colder temperatures and the high cost of home heating fuels and=20 utilities, many people resort to using fireplaces, wood stoves, space = heaters,=20 and other alternative heating methods to keep warm. All of these methods = of=20 heating are acceptable; however, they are also major contributors to = residential=20 fires. Many of these fires can be prevented! The = following fire=20 safety tips can help you maintain a fire-safe home this winter.

Did You Know?

In the winter, structure fires increase, although total fires = decrease. A=20 substantial portion of the structure fire increase is caused by heating = fires.=20 In an average year, heating is the cause of 17 percent of structure = fires;=20 however, during the winter, heating fires jump to 27 percent of = structure fires.=20 Heating fires are concentrated in late fall through mid-winter=20 (December=96February), during winter holidays and the coldest months. = Since colder=20 temperatures result in longer operating time for heating equipment, = there is=20 more opportunity for that equipment to cause a fire.

Wood Stove and Fireplaces

Wood stoves and fireplaces are becoming a very common heat source in = homes.=20 Careful attention to safety can minimize their fire hazard.

To use them safely:

Be sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly. Wood = stoves=20 should have adequate clearance (36 inches) from combustible surfaces = and=20 proper floor support and protection.=20
Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction, and=20 design. Purchase wood stoves evaluated by a nationally = recognized=20 laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).=20
Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, = especially=20 if it has not been used for some time.=20
Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.=20
Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening, to = prevent=20 embers or sparks from jumping out, unwanted material from going in, = and help=20 prevent the possibility of burns to occupants.=20
The stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to = reduce the=20 amount of creosote buildup.=20
Don=92t use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in=20 fireplaces. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by=20 overbuilding the fire.=20
Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off = lethal=20 amounts of carbon monoxide.=20
Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A = spark=20 from the fireplace could easily ignite these materials.=20
Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. = NEVER=20 close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed = damper will=20 help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide = into the=20 house.=20
If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the = package. =20 NEVER break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than = one log=20 at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of = carbon=20 monoxide.

Furnaces

It is important that you have your furnace inspected to ensure that = it is in=20 good working condition.

Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper = working=20 condition.=20
Do not attempt repairs yourself: leave furnace repairs to = qualified=20 specialists.=20
Inspect the walls and ceiling near the furnace and along the = chimney=20 line. If the wall is hot or discolored, additional pipe = insulation or=20 clearance may be required.=20
Check the flue pipe and pipe seams. Are they well supported = and free=20 of holes and cracks? Soot along or around seams may be an = indicator of a=20 leak.=20
Is the chimney solid, with cracks or loose bricks? All = unused flue=20 openings should be sealed with solid masonry.=20
Keep trash and other combustibles away from the heating system. =

Kerosene Heaters

Be sure your heater is in good working condition. Inspect = exhaust=20 parts for carbon buildup. Be sure the heater has an emergency = shut off=20 in case the heater is tipped over.=20
Never use fuel burning appliances without proper room = venting. =20 Burning fuel (coal, kerosene, or propane for example) can produce = deadly=20 fumes. Use ONLY the fuel recommended by the heater = manufacturer. =20 NEVER introduce a fuel into a unit not designed for that type = fuel. =20
Keep kerosene, or other flammable liquids stored in approved metal = containers, in well ventilated storage areas, outside of the house.=20
NEVER fill the heater while it is operating or hot. Follow=20 manufacturer=92s instructions. When refueling an oil or kerosene unit, = avoid=20 overfilling. Cold fuel may expand in the tank as it warms up.=20
Refueling should be done outside of the home (or outdoors). = Keep=20 young children away from space heaters =96 especially when they are = wearing=20 pajamas or other loose clothing that can be easily ignited.=20
When using a fuel burning appliance in the bedroom, be sure there = is=20 proper ventilation to prevent a buildup of carbon monoxide.

Winter Storm Fire Safety

Fire-Related Hazards Present during and after a Winter Storm

Alternative heating devices used incorrectly create fire hazards.=20
Damaged or downed utility lines can present a fire and life safety = hazard.=20
Water damaged appliances and utilities can be electrically = charged.=20
Frozen water pipes can burst and cause safety hazards.=20
Leaking gas lines, damaged or leaking gas propane containers, and = leaking=20 vehicle gas tanks may explode or ignite.=20
Generators are often used during power outages. Generators = that are=20 not properly used and maintained can be hazardous.

To safeguard yourself, your family, and your home from these = potential=20 hazards, please follow the safety tips listed below:

Chemical Safety

Look for combustible liquids like gasoline, lighter fluid, and paint = thinner=20 that may have spilled. Thoroughly clean the spill and place the = containers in a=20 well ventilated area. Remember to keep combustible liquids away from any = heat=20 source.

Electrical Safety

If your home has sustained flood or water damage, and you can safely = get to=20 the main breaker of fuse box, turn off the power. Assume all wires on = the ground=20 are electrically charged. This includes cable feeds. Look for and = replace frayed=20 or cracked extension cords, loose prongs, and plugs; exposed outlets and = wiring=20 could present a fire and life safety hazard. Appliances that emit smoke = or=20 sparks should be repaired or replaced. Be sure to have a licensed = electrician=20 check your home for any damage.

Gas Safety

Smell and listen for leaky gas connections. If you believe there is a = gas=20 leak, immediately leave the house and leave the door open. Never strike = a match:=20 any size flame can spark an explosion. Before turning the gas back on, = have the=20 gas system checked by a professional.

Generator Safety

Follow the manufacturer=92s instructions and guidelines when using a = generator.=20 Always use a generator or other fuel-powered machines outside of the = home.=20 Carbon monoxide fumes are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you = indoors.

Always be sure that every level of your home has a working smoke = alarm, and=20 be sure to test and clean it on a monthly basis. Plan and practice a = home escape=20 plan with your family.

Related Publications (Download, Adobe Acrobat (PDF) = Help)

T= he=20 Seasonal Nature of Fires (PDF, 477 Kb)=20
W= inter=20 Fires: Safety Tips for the Home (PDF, 625 Kb)=20
During or = After=20 a Disaster: Winter Storm Fire Safety (PDF, 37 Kb)=20
Fire= =20 Safety in the News: Winter Fires (PDF, 165 Kb)

Links of Interest

C= himney=20 Safety Institute of America=20
Electrical=20 Safety Foundation International=20
Federal=20 Emergency Management Agency=20
Home=20 Safety Council=20
National=20 Fire Protection Association

Focus on Fire Safety Archives

Winter=20 Fire Safety=20
Holiday = Fire=20 Safety=20
P= revent=20 Home Fires=20
Prepare= dness=20
Campus = Fire Safety=20
Disas= ters=20 and Fire Safety=20
Novelty = and Toy Lighters=20
Older=20 Adults=20
Residential=20 Fire Sprinklers=20
Summer=20 Fire Safety=20
Wildfires<= /A>=20

Last Reviewed: December 1, 2008

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U.S. Fire Administration, 16825 S. = Seton Ave.,=20 Emmitsburg, MD 21727
(301) 447-1000 Fax: (301) 447-1346 Admissions = Fax: (301)=20 447-1441