Supplemental heating sources add warmth — and considerable fire
risks — to your home. Space heaters can cause fires by tipping
over, or by igniting nearby furniture, curtains and other combustible
items. Stray sparks and ashes from fireplaces and wood stoves can
ignite rugs, furniture and other combustible items. Fortunately, a
number of appliance features and safety devices can minimize these
risks. Consider the following models and features:
Heaters are available as stand-alone or wall-mounted units. Look
for these features:
- Auto shut-off turns off the unit if it tips over or overheats.
- Cool-touch exterior for added safety.
- Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listing.
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Auto Shut-Off Heater
In some models, the auto shut-off feature will also activate if the
unit touches furniture or window treatments.
[$30 - $120] See
Suppliers
Wall-Mounted Heater
This compact unit plugs directly into a wall outlet, eliminating
the danger of the heater tipping over or a person tripping over
the electrical cord. Consider one with a built-in night-light for
added safety.
[$38 - $73] See
Suppliers
A number of products can help minimize the chances of fireplace
fires spreading to your home. Be sure to have your chimney professionally
cleaned at the beginning of each fireplace season, or more regularly
if you use your fireplace often.
 Fireplace
HearthGate™
This steel enclosure and gate system encircles the entire hearth
or heat source to protect young children, persons with dementia
and pets from the dangers of a fireplace, wood stove or barbecue.
[$185 - $200] See
Suppliers
Fire-Resistant Hearth Rug
To prevent sparks from setting fire to the floor around your fireplace
or wood stove, use a specially treated hearth rug or one made of
wool or Olefin fibers which do not easily ignite.
[$25 - $100] See
Suppliers
Fire-Resistant Fireplace Gloves
These gloves are made from leather treated to resist fire and protect
your hands from heat when you adjust logs in your fireplace or wood
stove.
[$20 ] See
Supplier
 Soot
and Creosote Cleaner
Adding this cleaner while burning wood helps remove built-up creosote
and soot that could cause a fire.
[$5 - $25] See
Suppliers
Fireplace Flame Extinguisher — Chimfex®
Soot build-up in a chimney or wood stove can catch fire with just
a spark. Extinguish chimney fires quickly with Chimfex®, a dry
chemical flare that releases gases to immediately cut off the oxygen
feeding the fire.
[$10 - $15] See
Suppliers
Fireplace Ash Vacuum
A fireplace vacuum cleans up hot ashes from the fireplace and stores
them in a large burn-proof container until they are cool and can
be discarded properly. The unit filters out large coals and wood
chunks that could retain enough heat to start a fire.
[$200 - $250] See
Suppliers
 Fireplace
Ash Hopper
Carry fireplace ashes safely in this covered metal hopper. The unit
has legs that keep the hopper off the floor to prevent scorching.
[$50] See
Suppliers
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