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Fire Prevention Press Release
Date: 12/31/09
From: Frank Smith, Fire Chief
Tips for Heating Your Home Safely
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), heating equipment
is the leading cause of home fires during the months of December, January &
February. The Wrightsville Beach Fire Department offers the following
recommendations for safely heating your home this winter.
Portable space heaters are involved in 32% of heating system fires and 73% of
heating system fire deaths. The most common cause of space heater fires is
placing combustible material too close to the heater.
Avoid using portable space heaters! If you must use a space heater, please
observe the following safety precautions.
All Space Heaters
Space heaters need space! Keep combustible materials (including curtains,
bedding, furniture, books, magazines, etc.) at least three feet away from a
space heater! Heaters are not dryers or tables; don't dry clothes or store objects
on top of your heater.
Turn off the space heater when you leave the room or when you go to bed.
Electric Space Heaters
Plug the power cord into an outlet that is properly rated for the heater. Never use
as extension cord with a space heater. Always unplug your electric space heater
when not in use. Do not use the heater if the power cord is frayed or damaged.
Kerosene Space Heaters
Never fuel a kerosene heater inside your home; take it outside away from
combustible materials. Be careful not to overfill the heater. Use only crystal clear
K-1 kerosene to fuel the heater. Never use gasoline or camp stove fuel. Never
attempt to move or fuel a heater while it is lit. Use kerosene heaters in a well
ventilated room.
Many heating fires involve improper use of fireplaces and woodstoves.
All fireplaces and woodstoves must be installed in strict compliance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Be sure to keep all combustibles at least three feet away from fireplaces and
woodstoves. Use a heavy duty fireplace screen that covers the entire fireplace
hearth to catch flying sparks. Never leave any fire unattended.
During normal use, fireplaces and woodstoves build up flammable creosote in
their chimneys. Two-thirds of chimney fires are due to dirty chimneys. To prevent
a chimney fire, have your fireplace or wood stove professionally cleaned and
inspected before each heating season.
Check to make sure the damper is open before starting a fire. Never burn trash,
paper or green wood in a fireplace. These materials are difficult to control, and
they cause heavy creosote buildup. Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.
Dispose of fireplace ashes properly. Hot ashes can smolder for several days, so
never place ashes in cardboard, paper or plastic containers. Put ashes in a
closed metal container away from your home. Soak hot ashes with water. Keep
ashes away from combustible materials including decks, porches and pine straw
landscape bedding.
Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and near every sleeping area
and in every bedroom. A working smoke alarm doubles your chances of surviving
a home fire.
All fuel-burning heating devices are potential sources of toxic carbon monoxide
(CO). To protect your family from CO poisoning, install a CO detector near each
sleeping area. Test smoke alarms and CO detectors monthly, and replace the
batteries at least once a year.
If You Smoke… Put it Out. All the Way. Every Time.
Wrightsville Beach Fire Department
EMERGENCY: 911
Office: (910) 256-7920
www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com/fire.htm
SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES!
Free Smoke Detectors & Fire Extinguishers In interest of promoting fire safety in our community, The Wrightsville Beach Fire Department is distributing free smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to Town residents & property owners.
A member of the fire department will deliver the equipment and explain the proper procedures for operating it.
Sign up for your delivery appointment today. Call the fire station at (910) 256-7920 or email Chief Smith at fsmith@towb.org.
Quantities are limited, so equipment will be distributed one per residence on a first come, first serve basis.
This program is sponsored by the Wrightsville Beach Volunteer Firefighters Association, Inc.