Contact: Kevin Pettigrew
Phone: 336-373-7822

GFD Offers Winter Supplemental Heating Safety Tips

GREENSBORO, NC (December, 10, 2010) -- With this winter's record-breaking cold temperatures and a rise in heating costs projected, you may have home heating costs and alternatives on your mind. The Greensboro Fire Department (GFD) urges you to properly use any alternative heating equipment – like pellet stoves, wood stoves and space heaters – to stay safe.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, home heating fires this December, January and February will account for half of all US home fires. Space heaters annually account for one-third of reported US home heating fires, and four out of five associated civilian deaths.

Alternative heating sources are not inherently a greater fire risk; with caution they can be used safely. That’s why the Fire Department encourages anyone using pellet stoves, wood stoves, space heaters or any other supplemental home heating equipment this winter to follow these safety tips:

Portable electric space heaters
    • Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room. 
    • Use and purchase portable space heaters with an automatic shut off so if tipped over, they will shut off. 
    • Place space heaters on a solid, flat surface at least three feet in all directions from anything that can burn including curtains and draperies.
    • Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
    • Inspect for cracked, damaged or broken plugs or loose connections; replace it before use.

Fuel-burning space heaters
    • Always use the proper fuel as specified by the manufacturer. 
    • When refueling, allow the appliance to cool down first and always refuel outside or in a well-ventilated area. 
    • If the pilot light of your gas heater goes out, allow five minutes or more for the gas to go away before trying to light it again. Do not allow gas to accumulate. Always light the match before you turn on the gas to the pilot to avoid risk of flashback.

Wood / pellet-burning stoves and fireplaces
    • Wood stoves should be labeled by a recognized testing laboratory.
    • In wood stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets. 
    • Keep the doors of your wood stove closed unless loading or stoking the live fire. 
    • Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room.
    • Allow fireplace and woodstove ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container.
    • Never use your oven to heat your home.

Make sure your home has smoke alarms on every level, outside each sleeping area, and inside every bedroom, and has carbon monoxide alarms installed properly. Test the alarms monthly to be sure they are working and plan and practice your home fire escape drill. 

The Fire Department offers free smoke alarms with installation. If your alarm does not work or you need new batteries, contact the department's Community Affairs office at 336-574-4088. While the GFD doesn't provide free carbon monoxide alarms, representatives will install at no charge alarms you purchase yourself. Read more about these services.

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