Dear Homeowners,
Below is some very important fire protection information regarding heat sources. Also, provided is a link to other fire prevention information. Please take a second to read this article. It may save your home.
United States Fire Administration Encourages Your Department to Ask Residents: Are Your Heat Sources Ready for Winter?
Dear Quick Response Members:
Home heating comes from a multitude of sources. Often times residents will supplement their main heating system with alternative heat sources such as fireplaces, wood stoves, and portable fuel or electric heaters. It’s important to reach residents in your communities early with alternative heating fire safety information so you can stop the fire before it starts.
Heating is one of the leading causes of home fires in the United States. Over 25 percent of these fires started due to improperly maintained heating equipment.
Tell residents that following a few simple safety tips can make all the difference:
Have chimneys professionally inspected and cleaned each year;
Ensure wood stoves are properly installed;
Make sure space heaters are kept at least three feet away from flammables and have an emergency tip-over, shut-off control;
Use a glass or metal screen in front of the fire?place to prevent sparks from igniting drapes, furniture, and carpets; and
Never use a range or oven to heat your home.
For more tips and fire safety information to distribute to your community, go to:
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/heating/hotspot.shtm
Aaron Hettesheimer
Community Manager
