Cold weather increases the risk of home heating fires—about half occur in December, January, and February. A fire needs all three parts of the fire triangle to start: heat, fuel, and oxygen. If all three are present—like a space heater near newspapers with air in the room—a fire can ignite.
NFPA Safety Tips
• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, and space heaters.
• Store lighters and matches locked away from children.
• Never use an oven to heat your home.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys professionally cleaned and inspected yearly.
• Turn off space heaters when leaving a room or going to bed.
• Use a sturdy screen for fireplaces; place cooled ashes in a metal container away from the home.
• Have wood-burning stoves professionally installed, and vent all fuel-burning appliances outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) buildup.
• Install and maintain CO alarms; if you smell gas, leave immediately and call the fire department or gas company.
• Test smoke alarms monthly. For a battery appointment, call 520-393-7505.
Electric Space Heater Tips
Choose heaters with a thermostat, overheat protection, and tip-over shutoff. Place on a flat surface and plug directly into a wall outlet, never an extension cord.
Most heating fires are preventable—remove one part of the fire triangle, and you remove the risk. Stay warm, stay safe, and have a Happy New Year!
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