Home fires often occur
during the cold winter months due to heating equipment or unsafe practices.
Here are some important tips to help keep your home safe and warm this winter.
CDF advises residents to never use
flammable liquids or excessive amounts of paper to start or accelerate a fire. Remember that charcoal gives off lethal amounts of carbon
monoxide, for this reason never burn charcoal indoors.
Also, keep flammables away from heat sources. Law
requires that wood
stoves should be UL approved and have 36 inches of clearance from any
combustible surfaces. The use of kerosene heaters, once popular, is now
prohibited inside the home by California State law. Watch your children and keep them
away from heat sources.
Watch your fire as well, never leave a fire unattended.
Never attempt to heat a structure with a device that was designed for outdoor
use, such as a camp stove. Have a professional inspect and
clean your chimney, stovepipe and/or furnace annually and do not attempt
repairs yourself. Keep a metal or glass screen in front of the fireplace
opening and make sure the flu damper is open before
lighting your fire. At the beginning of this winter heating season check your
furnace control and emergency shut-offs to be sure they are working properly. For More Safety Tips Visit:
www.fire.ca.gov