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The latest report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on U.S. home heating fire patterns indicates that heating equipment fires are the leading causes of fire deaths in American homes during the winter months.

Safer Home Heating

The NFPA report shows that most home heating fires are attributable to human error, particularly to the misuse of portable heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves. Making home heating safer requires correct installation, maintainence, fueling and operation of portable and space heaters, as well as safely arranging household items around them. According to NFPA's report, the major causes of U.S. home heating fires are:

• lack of regular cleaning of chimneys in fireplaces and woodstoves
• placing things that can burn too close to space and portable heaters
• flaws in design, installation or use
• fueling errors involving liquid- or gas-fueled heaters and leaving portable or space heaters unattended

Preventing Heating Equipment Fires

Take precautions to ensure that your home is safe from winter fires.

• Select equipment that has been certified by an independent testing laboratory.
• Install and maintain heating equipment correctly.
• Be sure equipment complies with local fire and building codes.
• Where possible, have local building or fire officials check the installation and maintenance.
• Read and following the manufacturer's instructions when using a heating device.

Using Space Heaters

• Keep the heater at least 36 inches from anything that can burn, including furniture, bedding, clothing, pets and people.
• Turn the heater off when you are not in the room or when you go to sleep.
• Supervise children and pets at all times when space heaters are in use.
• Ensure everyone is aware of the high fire hazard associated with drying clothing or placing combustibles over heaters.
• Check electric space heaters for fraying or splitting wires or overheating. Have all problems repaired by a professional before operating the space heater.

Fireplaces

• Have your chimney inspected by a professional prior to the start of every heating season and cleaned if necessary.
• Use a sturdy fireplace screen when burning fires.
• Burn only wood - never burn paper or pine boughs, which can float out the chimney and ignite your roof or a neighboring home.
• Do not use flammable liquids in a fireplace.
• If you are purchasing a factory-built fireplace, select one listed by a testing laboratory, and have it installed according to local codes.

Wood Stoves

• Be sure your wood stove bears the mark of an independent testing laboratory and meets local fire codes.
• Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for proper installation, use and maintenance.
• Chimney connections and chimney flues should be inspected at the beginning of each heating season and cleaned when necessary.
• Follow the same safety rules for wood stoves as you would for space heaters.
• Burn only wood
• Be sure the wood stove is placed on an approved stove board to protect the floor from heat and hot coals.

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