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Winter Fire Safety Tips

Recently, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal issued a press release about the recent increase in deadly fires across the State since February 14th. During the winter months due to the temperature drops, there is an increase in deadly fires. Half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, and February. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths, with one in every five home fire deaths involving heating equipment. This includes space heaters. Here are some tips from the State Fire Marshal and NFPA to keep in mind during the remainder of winter: 

• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional and change furnace filters frequently. 
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters, or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturers’ instructions. 
• Keep interior and exterior air vents clear of blockages or obstructions. 
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like a furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater. 
• Purchase units with an automatic shutoff in case the unit tips over or you forget to shut it off. 
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before being placed into a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home. 
• Create a three-foot "kid-free zone" around open fires and space heaters. 
• Test smoke and CO alarms at least once a month and be familiar with the sounds they make. 
• Never use an oven or range to heat your home. 
• Remember to turn off portable or space heaters when leaving the room or going to bed. 
• Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on each floor of your home and within 15 feet of each sleeping area. 
• CO detectors have a limited life span. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for information on replacement. 
• Plug only one heat-producing appliance (like a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time. 

To read the full press release, visit OSFM Urges Immediate Fire Safety Action Following Deadly Fires.