Fire marshal cautions residents operating heating equipment

Heating equipment is listed as the second leading cause of home fires across the nation. From December through February, however, it rises to the rank of No. 1.

Fire Marshal Robert Cardwell reports 10 house fires in Rockingham County during November, most due to misuse of winter heating equipment.

“The last two fires reported were probably caused by candles,” Cardwell said. “One was caused by a heater and two more by wood stoves. In one case, a chimney fire worked its way into an attic space and ignited the upper levels of a home.”

Cardwell said a recent fire at 400 Ayersville Road in Mayodan probably resulted from a combination of problems with the chimney and the furnace system.

Although every situation is different, Cardwell said the most common cause for fires caused by heating equipment comes down to clearance issues.

“The main thing to remember is to maintain at least a 36-inch distance between any heating device and combustible materials like furniture, curtains, bedding or even wallpaper,” he said. “These devices need room to put out heat without being reflected off an item that might ignite from the heat.”

The heat generated by a wood-burning stove can easily ignite the material in a couch or chair. Fires can often result from easily ignited materials being stored too close to kitchen stovetops or ovens.

“Putting a stop to winter fires can be as easy as keeping a reasonable clearance zone around any heat-producing appliance,” Cardwell said.

Winter fire safety also requires a little attention to the types of equipment selected for home uses. Portable and space heaters can be either electric or fueled by gas, liquid fuels such as kerosene, or solid fuels like wood or coal. All of those types require at least 36 inches of clearance from anything that might burn.

In addition, space heaters should never be operated when no one is in the room or users are asleep. The devices should be kept away from pets or children, and should never be used to dry clothing.

When using liquid fuel heaters, only the fuel recommended by the manufacturer should be utilized. Gasoline or other substitute fuels could burn hotter than the equipment’s design limits and cause a fire. The heaters should always be turned off and allowed to cool before adding fuel and spills should be cleaned up promptly. Kerosene and other fuels must be stored away from heat and open flames in an approved container that is clearly marked with the fuel name.

Before using fireplaces, chimneys should be inspected by a professional prior to the beginning of each heating season. Creosote, a chemical substance that forms when wood burns, builds up in chimneys and can cause chimney fires if not properly cleaned.

Fireplaces should only burn wood and not paper or pine boughs, which can float out of chimneys and ignite roofs or nearby structures.

Chimneys and connections should also be annually inspected on wood-burning stoves. The same rules apply for wood stoves as space heaters regarding clearance from combustible materials. Wood stoves should only be placed on approved stove boards to protect floors from heat and hot embers.

National Fire Protection Association standards prohibit home use of portable LP gas or propane heaters with self-contained fuel supplies.

Kerosene heaters

• Be sure heaters are in good working order. Inspect exhaust parts for carbon buildup.

• Be sure heater has an emergency shutoff in case it is tipped over.

• Never use fuel-burning appliances without proper room venting. Burning fuel produces deadly fumes.

• Use only fuels recommended by heater manufacturer.

• Keep all fuels stored in approved containers in well-ventilated storage areas away from heat and open flames.

• Refueling should be done outside of the home and only with cooled appliance.

• Keep pets and young children away from space heaters.

Wood stoves and fireplaces

• Be sure stove or fireplace is properly installed, with adequate clearance of at least 36 inches from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection.

• Have chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary.

• Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate fires.

• Keep glass or metal screen in front of fireplace opening to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out and prevent possibility of accidental burns.

• Never use charcoal indoors as it gives off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.

• Be sure fire is out before going to sleep or leaving room unattended.

Furnaces

• Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition.

• Leave furnace repairs to qualified specialists.

• Inspect walls and ceiling near furnace and along chimney line. If wall is hot or discolored, additional pipe insulation or clearance could be required.

• Check fuel pipes and pipe seams for proper support, holes or cracks.

• Check chimney for cracks or loose bricks.

• Keep trash and other combustibles away from heating system.

Other safety tips

• Be sure every level of home has a working smoke detector and change batteries regularly.

• Never discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place them in metal container outside and well away from home.

• Never use a range or an oven as a supplementary heating device.

• Do not overload circuits with electric heaters and only use extension cords with the necessary ratings to handle the amp load.

• Avoid using electric space heaters in bathrooms or other areas where they can come in contact with water.

• Never thaw frozen pipes with a blow torch or other open flame.