Contact: David Douglas
Phone: 336-373-2032

Fire Department Heating Safety Tips Issued

GREENSBORO -- (December 17, 2009) -- With the temperatures dropping sharply, you will probably start using heating devices to help keep your home warm. Just remember to follow safety precautions at all times when using items such as space heaters, fireplaces and gas or electric furnaces. Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires during December, January and February, and is second to cooking fires as the primary cause of home fires year-round.

The Greensboro Fire Department (GFD) offers safety suggestions below and recommends every home have at least one working smoke detector on each level of the home. GFD provides smoke detectors and / or replacement batteries free of charge to any Greensboro resident. Call GFD's Community Services office at 547-4088 for more information. Visit GFD's Web site for more safety tips.

Space Heaters

Kerosene heaters should be cleaned and wicks replaced annually. Never use any device that has a frayed or damaged cord.

When using space heaters in your home, GFD suggests you move all furniture and other combustible items at least three feet away. Never connect one of these devises to an outlet with an extension cord. Space heaters should be used as temporary heating sources for a limited amount of time. When one is on, you should always keep a nearby window open or the door open to the room where the heater is.

Never use space heaters to dry clothing or other combustibles and keep young children away from these devices when they're on. When not in use, unplug space heaters and let them cool down before storing them away.

Fireplaces

Fireplace chimneys and vents should be inspected and cleaned annually by a professional chimney sweep to prevent creosote build-up, which is a by-product of wood-burning fireplaces and stoves. Creosote can cause chimney fires.

Before using your fireplace, open the flue. This is a trap door that keeps heat out in the summer and cool air from coming in when the fireplace is not in use. Check to see if the flue is open by looking up the chimney. If you see light, the flue is open. If there are any obstructions in the chimney, remove them. If you don't, the blockage will cause carbon monoxide to back up into your house. Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless and invisible gas, which is often called the "silent killer." Carbon monoxide exposure reduces your blood's ability to carry oxygen and can lead to death. The GFD recommends residents install a carbon monoxide alarm in their home.

If you use artificial logs made from wax and sawdust, use only one at a time in your fireplace. Don't burn pressure-treated wood in fireplaces or stoves because of the chemicals it contains. Don't burn newspaper or other trash in a fireplace because they burn too hot and can ignite a chimney fire.

Also, never leave a fireplace unattended.

Gas / Electric Furnaces

These types of heating systems should be checked regularly by trained professionals to make sure they're operating properly and not resulting in carbon monoxide exposure. 

Gas or electric furnaces that haven't been used for several months may contain a build-up of dust and dirt on the heating elements. This causes a burning smell and even a light haze of white smoke when you first turn on the systems. The smell and haze are not harmful and will burn off quickly. 

Meanwhile, GFD suggests you run your furnace first with the windows open so the smell can escape. However, if the smoke turns black and the furnace starts to rumble, leave the house immediately and call 9-1-1.

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