Fire & Rescue Offers Home Heating Advice
by Kay Gault, CVF&R

Colder weather is on the way, and now is the time to prepare for a fire-safe home this winter. Please review the following safety tips to help you prepare for the home heating season.
Furnace Heating
Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition.
Inspect the walls and ceiling near the furnace and along the chimney line. If the wall is hot or discolored, additional pipe insulation or clearance may be required.
Is the chimney solid? No cracks or loose bricks? All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry.
Keep trash and other combustibles away from the heating system.
Wood burning stoves and fireplaces
Be sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly. Woodstoves should have adequate clearance (36”) from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection.
Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time.
Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.
Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out.
Keep flammable materials away from your mantel as spark from the fireplace could easily ignite these materials.
Before going to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. Never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.
If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package. These logs often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.
Never discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house.
Kerosene heaters
Be sure the heater is in good working condition. Be sure the heater has an emergency shutoff in case the heater is tipped over.
Never use fuel-burning appliances without proper room venting. Burning fuel can produce deadly fumes.
Keep kerosene or other flammable liquids stored in approved metal containers in well ventilated storage areas outside of the house.
Never fill the heater while it is operating or hot. When refueling an oil or kerosene unit, avoid overfilling. Do not use cold fuel as it may expand in the tank as it warms up. Refueling should be done outside the home.
Keep young children away from space heaters—especially when they are wearing loose clothing that can be easily ignited. Also make sure to keep blankets, curtains and other combustibles away from any kind of heater.
Electric heaters
If you use an electric heater, be sure not to overload the circuit. Only use extension cords that have the necessary rating to carry the amp load. Choose an extension cord the same size or larger than the appliance’s electrical cord.
Avoid using electrical space heaters in bathrooms or other areas where they may come in contact with water.
And please remember….
Be sure that every bedroom and every level of your home has a working smoke alarm; be sure to check and clean them on a monthly basis.
Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Plan and practice a home escape plan with your family.

For more information, please call Charlotte Fire & Rescue at 425-3111 or visit the following websites: usfa.fema.gov, sparky.org, nfpa.org.