Home Heating Safety Tips

January 7, 2014

Home Heating Safety Tips

In 2011, heating equipment was the cause of more than 50,000 home fires, causing 400 deaths and 1,500 injuries. Space heaters accounted for one-third of all home fires and 80% of all deaths. Half of all home heating fires happen in December, January, and February. With a few simple safety tips and precautions, you can prevent most heating fires from happening.

Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, such as the furnace, fireplace or portable heater. Only use heating equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed. For more safety tips from the National, Fire Protection Association go to https://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/causes/heating.