Fall/Winter Fire Prevention Tips: Heaters can
lead to explosive consequences !!
Well, it's almost that time of year again. The leaves will
be falling
and the air will get crisp and cold. The cold weather brings about the need to heat our
homes. Most homeowners heat their homes with either fuel oil or gas, but many
people use other means to supplement the use of gas and oil. They use wood
burners, kerosene heaters, and fireplaces, just to name a few.
Regardless of what you
use to heat your home, I remind you that it is very important to have your system checked out
before usage this winter. Many things can happen to furnaces, fireplaces,
and wood stoves during the summer months. Sometimes birds or other animals build
nests in chimneys that could prevent the fumes from venting properly, causing
smoke and other gases such as CO to back up into your home. Do you have a
CO detector ?
If you are burning wood you need to have your chimney
cleaned regularly. You should also try to burn wood that is dry ( not fresh
cut). Green wood, especially pine, will build up creosote in your chimney
faster than dry wood. How often you need to have your chimney cleaned depends on
how much you use the wood burner. It should be checked about every three weeks.
I also suggest the use of a good CO detector, Carbon
Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that can be fatal in excess
amounts. We recommend a wall plug model, such as the Nighthawk or similar
model. Battery operated CO detectors have a high false alarm rate.
If you are using a kerosene heater be sure that it is in a
safe place away from other combustibles. And if you have small children in the
house, kerosene heaters can be very hazardous. Many children are burned by
these heaters. Another hazard with kerosene heaters is small children
finding kerosene and drinking it (it happens more than you think).
The poison control number should be close by. You also need to store the
kerosene in a safe place outside the house. Also, make sure the cans that
you use for the kerosene are clearly marked. These cans should never me
used for Gasoline. Putting gasoline into a kerosene heater can be
extremely hazardous, causing a fire or explosion.
Did you change your smoke alarm battery ??
Your smoke detector battery should be changed when you change
your clocks in the spring and fall. Although 93% of homes have at least one smoke detector, statistics
show that there are more homes with smoke detectors that don't work than those
without detectors at all. Additionally, half of all home fires and
three-fifths of fire deaths occur in the share of homes with no detection.
A recent news release by the NFPA suggests replacing smoke detectors every 10
years.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends
that you sleep with your bedroom door closed, with a smoke detector present in
all sleeping areas, as well as in the hallway. Detectors should be placed
at least 4-10 inches from walls, at the highest point on a ceiling.
Placement in the kitchen requires some forethought, as false alarms from steam
or burned toast often cause many home owners to disconnect the battery.
Many of our false alarms are due to miscommunication with your alarm system
service. If your monitored alarm system sustains a false fire alarm, it is
important to call the area fire department immediately, as well as your alarm company to let
them know. Otherwise, fire apparatus will be dispatched to your residence.
Many of our false alarms are due to poorly maintained
detectors. It is important to test your alarm occasionally, hopefully as
part of your family's fire escape plan. Periodically vacuum the cover
and around the sensor, as dust and dirt can become trapped in the sensor,
causing a false alarm. Newer homes with wired smoke detector
alarms have backup battery systems. It is important to change those
batteries too, every time you change your clock.
In closing, your safety is always our concern at the
Chardon Fire Department. So, be
careful with the different things you are using to heat your home.
Get more tips on home safety at :
http://www.nfpa.org/Education/FPWhome/FPWhome.asp
- Captain Gene Adams, Chardon Fire Dept.
