Beat the Home Heating Fire Risk

Increasing fuel and utility prices have led many homeowners to use alternate heating methods. Supplemental heating sources add warmth — and considerable fire risks — to your home.

Today, one-third of the U.S. population uses fireplaces, wood stoves or other portable fuel-fired appliances as primary heat sources in their homes. This practice can be dangerous. For example, a home where a space heater is the primary heat source is three to four times more likely to have a heating fire than a home where a central heating system is the primary source of heat.

Causes of Heating Fires
Use Supplemental Heating Equipment Properly

"When we were leaving, I slammed the fireplace door. It must not have closed. We lost everything but two bedrooms and clothing." Lorenzo and Marion Roberts, fire survivors

Causes of Heating Fires

Major causes of home heating fires include:

• Failure to clean wood burning devices.
• Lack of proper ventilation around space heaters.
• Improper heater refueling.
• Simple human error.

Use Supplemental Heating Equipment Properly

Proper placement and use of supplemental heating equipment will help prevent fires:

• Allow at least 3 feet of open space on all sides of space heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces.
• Refuel your heater only when it is cool.
• Refuel the heater away from open flames such as pilot lights, candles or lit cigarettes.
• If you use a space heater, choose one with a "tip switch" that automatically shuts off the unit if it is tipped over.
• Be sure that your wood or coal stove is properly installed and up to code.
• Have wood or coal stoves, fireplaces and chimneys inspected yearly. Clean regularly.