The Collingwood Fire Department is reminding residents to be careful with space heaters, and follow some important safety steps to prevent fires and injuries.
“Always be safety-minded when using space heaters,” said Collingwood Fire Prevention Officer Carl Prochilo. “Using space heaters does not come without risk. Make sure to turn them off if you’re leaving the house or going to bed. Follow manufacture’s recommendations for proper and safe use of your space heater.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global non-profit organization established in 1984, devoted to eliminating deaths, injury, property, and economic loss from fire, electrical and related hazards.
The NFPA and the Collingwood Fire Department offer these tips for keeping warm and safe this winter:
- Keep anything that can burn at least one metre away from heating equipment like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
- Have a one-metre kid-free zone around open fires and space heaters.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters, or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
- Install and maintain carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to avoid the risk of CO poisoning. If you smell gas, do not light the appliance, leave the home immediately and call 911.
Half of home heating fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February, according to the NFPA.
For further information on preventing home fires contact the Collingwood Fire Department at 705-445-3920.
