Winter Fire Safey Tips

Being aware of winter fire safety tips helps you to know how to keep your home safe during the cold, wet season.

Holiday Safety Photos

As cool fall weather changes into the cold air of winter, most people spend more time inside their homes. Roaring fireplaces and kerosene stoves provide additional heat, supplementing the home furnace. Candles provide warm lighting as scented potpourri simmers in an electric pot filling the house with beautiful scents. Ovens and cook tops turn ingredients into delicious winter meals. The scenario sounds perfect, yet each one has the potential of turning into a deadly winter fire.

The following fire safety tips will help you to keep your home warm and safe during the cold winter months.

• A qualified service technician should inspect and clean your furnace each year, including the controls and emergency shut off switches.
• The furnace chimney should be cleaned annually.
• Keep all combustibles and trash away from the furnace.

• Have the fireplace chimney cleaned each year.
• Flammable liquids should never be used in a fireplace.
• A fireplace screen made of glass or metal should be placed in front of the fireplace opening to keep burning embers and sparks inside.
• Never break apart a synthetic log or burn more than one at a time.
• Do not throw garbage, wrapping paper or other flammable items into the fire.
• If there are hot ashes in the fireplace, do not close the damper.
• Never leave a fireplace burning when you go to sleep.
• Do not use large amounts of paper to make a roaring fire.
• Place hot ashes in a metal container and put it outside the home.

• Only use a kerosene heater that is in good working condition.
• Always use the heater in a well-ventilated room.
• Store the fuel outside of the house.
• Never put fuel into the heater when it is turned on. Fuel should only be added when the heater is cold.
• Fill the heater outside of the home and never overfill it.

• Do not overload the electrical circuit.
• Use an extension cord with the proper AMP rating for the heater.
• Never use an electric heater in the bathroom

• The chimney should be cleaned each year.
• Wood stoves should be UL listed.
• All wood burning stoves should have a clearance of 36 inches from any surface that is combustible.
• The stove should be set on a strong fireproof foundation.

• Cooking is the leading cause of residential fires. Stay in the kitchen if you are frying, broiling or boiling. If you must leave the kitchen, turn off the stove to prevent a kitchen fire from starting.
• Keep flammable materials away from the burners of the stove. Examples of these items include:
  • Towels
  • Potholders
  • Oven mitts
  • Wooden utensils
  • Towels
  • Food packaging
• Keep the oven, cooking surfaces and burners clean.
• Do not wear clothes that are loose fitting or have flowing sleeves while using the stove or oven.
• Check the electrical cords on appliances to make sure they are in good condition.

• Each floor of your home should have a smoke detector in good working order. Replace the batteries in each smoke detector once a year.
• Keep fire extinguishers nearby and know how to use them.
• Never use your oven or stove top to heat your home.
• Make sure every family member is familiar with the fire escape plan. Take the time to practice it.
• Never leave lit candles in a room unattended.

The holidays are a fun and exciting time of the year. The following websites provide tips to help keep them safe.

• Family Education
• Fire Safety and Candles from the National Candle Association
• Christmas Holiday Safety Tips

By recognizing possible home safety hazards and following winter fire safety tips you are taking steps to keep your home and family safe.

• Electricity Safety Tips
• Sun Safety Tips
• Lab Safety Symbols
• Workplace Safety Quiz
• How Safe is the Food You Eat?

• Free Workplace Safety Tips
• Safety Slogans
• Free Workplace Safety Videos
• Safe Car Pranks
• Cyber Bullying Statistics