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NEWS RELEASE Date:
December 8, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fire Department Urges Caution When Using
Heaters
Windsor CA – Windsor Fire Protection District
officials worry that the substantially increased heating fuels costs
this winter might drive many people to use alternative or
supplemental heating sources whenever possible. Fireplaces and space
heaters can make a room toasty, but WFPD and the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) urge consumers to use caution when
using these devices by thinking fire-safety first.
“We’ve gone to some very tragic home fires in the
past couple of years that resulted from incorrectly used heating
devices,” said Fire Chief Ron Collier. “The combination of our
recent very cold temperatures and increased heating fuel costs cause
us great concern.”
There were 45,500 home heating fires reported to
U.S. fire departments in 2002, according to NFPA. These fires caused
220 deaths, 990 injuries and $449 million in property damage. These
numbers have generally declined over recent years, but with natural
gas and oil prices expected to rise sharply from last year at this
time, those who never used supplemental heating may elect to do so,
possibly causing more fires.
Based on frequency of use, space heaters pose a
higher risk of fire and fire death than central heating.
Fireplaces and chimneys were involved in 43 percent of all home
heating fires and 11 percent of the associated deaths. Fixed and
portable space heaters, including wood stoves, were involved in 25
percent of the home heating fires, but 74 percent of the associated
deaths. Central heating was involved in 19 percent of home heating
fires and 10 percent of the associated deaths.
Most fireplace and chimney fires were caused by
creosote build-up. The leading cause of space heater fires was
combustibles too close to the heaters. Central heating fires were
primarily caused by mechanical failures or malfunctions.
Heating equipment can be used safely if these
recommendations are followed:
- When buying a new space heater, make sure it
carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory, and be
sure to have fixed space heaters installed by a qualified
technician, according to manufacturer’s instructions or
applicable codes. Or make sure a qualified technician checks to
see that the unit has been properly installed.
- Keep or maintain a 36-inch clearance between
space heaters and anything that can burn.
- Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces,
chimneys, chimney connectors and all other solid-fueled heating
equipment inspected annually by a professional, and cleaned as
often as inspections suggest. To reduce creosote build-up, use
only wood that is properly seasoned.
- 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.
- Have any gas-fueled heating device installed
with proper attention to ventilation. If unvented gas space
heaters are used in bedrooms or bathrooms, make sure they are
small and well-mounted. NFPA codes prohibit use of liquefied
petroleum gas heaters with self-contained fuel supplies.
- Test smoke alarms monthly; install a carbon
monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.
Windsor Fire Protection District is a combination paid/volunteer
fire department that serves 30,000 people in a 30 square mile
area that includes 25 square miles of the Town of Windsor and
five miles of surrounding unincorporated area. WFPD will respond
to more than 1800 emergency calls this year. For more
information about heater safety, go to
www.nfpa.org or
www.windsorfire.net
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Contact: Matt Gustafson
Office: 707/838-1170
FAX: 707/838-1173
E-mail:
mgustafson@windsorfpd.com
NOTE: Photographs are copyrighted by Windsor
Fire Protection District and can only be used with permission.
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