With temperatures expected to drop sharply this week, the Columbia-Richland Fire Department wants to remind citizens to be careful and attentive while taking steps to heat their homes.
“Any source of heating in your home can cause a fire but some devices are more risky than others,” said Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins, “Space heaters and fireplaces are heating sources that definitely require the most attention. Leaving either unattended for any length of time can have drastic consequences.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters and heating stoves were the biggest culprits in home heating-related fires from 2019 through 2023. Fires caused by these devices also resulted in the most fire deaths, fire injuries and property loss during that five-year period.
Take the following steps to heat your home safely during the cold months ahead:
- Keep anything that can burn (including carpet) at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater. Only use space heaters on hard surfaces e.g.: hardwood, tile, etc.
- 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. Also make sure your home heating equipment is UL listed.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed. Also consider purchasing space heaters with a ‘kill switch’ that will turn the unit off if it tips over.
- Power your space heater by plugging the device DIRECTLY into a wall outlet! DO NOT use extension cords or power strips to power the space heater!
- Always use the right kind 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 at least once a month.
- Never use a portable generator inside your home. Place it outside and at least 10 feet away from the building.
- Install wood burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation. All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
- Install and maintain CO alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning. If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company. Make sure that CO alarms are on each level of your home.
