Home Heating Safety

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends following these home heating safety tips:

  • Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment such as a portable space heater, fireplace, wood-burning stove or furnace.
  • Have a 3-foot "kid-free zone" around open fires and space heaters.
  • Never use your oven to heat your home.
  • Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
  • Remember to ALWAYS turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
  • Always use only the type of fuel specified by the manufacturer for fuel-burning space heaters.
  • Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
  • Test smoke alarms monthly.