While these numbers are frightening, nearly all of these fires are preventable. Amador Fire Protection District Chief Jim McCart recommends some simple home heating safety tips: Space heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment. Turn portable heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room. Never plug portable heater power cords into an extension cord and replace the heater if it has cracked or frayed plugs or loose connections. Have your chimney inspected each year and cleaned if necessary and use a fireplace screen. Allow ashes to cool before disposing of them in a metal container. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and test smoke alarms regularly. Install and maintain a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area. Never use an oven to heat your home. Amador Fire Protection District Chief Jim McCart says when you follow these safety tips you are protecting your family and helping to keep Amador County a fire safe community.
Wednesday, 09 January 2008 00:16
Prevent Home Heating Fires
As the temperature outside drops, Amador County
families take to the indoors to keep safe and warm. What they may not realize
is that turning up the heat can increase the risk of home heating fires. According to the National Fire
Protection Association, nearly half of all
home-heating fires occur during the winter months. Research shows that heating equipment was involved in 62,200 reported U.S.
home structure fires in 2005, with associated losses of 670 civilian deaths,
1,550 civilian injuries, and $909 million in direct property damage.
