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