Heating Safety Reminders
Last Update: 3/06 12:31 pm
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According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment was involved with an esitmated 45,500 reported home fires and caused $449 million in direct property damage in 2002. - If you burn wood in your fireplace, have your chimney cleaned frequently by an expert to avoid a build-up of creosote.
- Never use a flammable liquid, like gasoline, to start a fire in your fireplace.
- Burn only seasoned, dry wood in your fireplace.
- Dispose of fireplace ashes properly - never put ashes in or near something that could burn, like plastic garbage bags, cardboard boxes, etc.
- SPACE HEATERS NEED SPACE! Keep them away from curtains, blankets, clothes and other items that could catch on fire. Unplug the heater when finished or before going to bed.
- Make sure fireplaces and wood burning stoves have special glass doors or a tight fitting screen to keep sparks from flying out.
- Have your furnace checked regularly by an expert.
- Keep all materials, like newspapers, boxes, rags, etc., at least three feet from heating appliances like the furnace and hot water heater.
- Always keep children and pets away from fireplaces, space heaters, furnaces and hot water heaters.
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Copyright 2008 The E.W. Scripps Co. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
