HEATER FIRES

Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the months of December, January and
February,  and trails only cooking equipment in home fires  year-round. 

Facts & figures

  • In 2001,  an estimated 54,900 home heating equipment fires were reported to U.S. fire  departments, resulting in 220 civilian deaths, 1,120 civilian injuries and $502  million in property damage.
  • Two of  every three home heating fires in the U.S. in 2001, and two of every three related deaths, were attributed to portable and fixed space heaters and related equipment.
  • Only 20%  of the home heating equipment fires in 2001 began with central heating units.
  • Common  causes of space heating home fires are: lack of regular cleaning, leading to  creosote build-up, in wood-burning devices and associated chimneys and  connectors; failing to give
    space heaters space by installing or placing them  too close to combustibles; basic flaws in the construction or design of wood  burning heating equipment; fuel spills or leaks involving liquid- or gas-fueled  heating equipment.
Source: NFPA's Home Heating Fire Patterns and
  Trends

 Safety tips:

When buying a new unit, make  
  • sure that a qualified technician installs the unit or checks that the unit has been installed properly.
  • For wood  or coal stoves or fireplaces, have a professional inspect the chimney, chimney  connector and other related equipment every year, and have them cleaned as often  as the inspections indicate.
  • Keep  space heaters at least three feet (or one meter) away from anything that can burn.
  • Fuel portable kerosene heaters in a well-ventilated area away from flames or other heat sources, and only when the device has cooled completely. Use only the type of kerosene specified by the manufacturer, and never use gasoline. Use only if such heaters are legal in your community.
  • When turning a heating device on or off, follow the manufacturer's instructions. When buying heaters, choose devices with automatic shut-off features.
  • Make sure any gas-fueled heating device is adequately ventilated. Unventilated gas  space heaters in bedrooms or bathrooms must be small and well-mounted. Never use  liquefied-petroleum gas heaters with self-contained fuel supplies in the home.
  • Portable  space heaters should be turned off every time you leave a room or go to bed.
Allow ashes  to cool before disposing. Dispose ashes in a metal container.