Home Heating in the Winter Season

By Firefighter/EMT Carolyn Arnold

NYSAFC Public Education Committee

With temperatures falling, here are a few tips to remember as you heat your home this winter:

Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from portable heating devices, fireplaces, or wood stoves.
Turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or going to bed for the night.
Make sure portable heaters have an automatic shut off in case the unit gets tipped over.
Always use a screen on the fireplace to prevent sparks from flying.
Cool your fireplace ashes before putting them in a metal container for disposal.
Have your chimney inspected and cleaned. This should be done at least once a year.
Never use your oven to heat the house.
Keep kids away and always make sure you have working smoke detectors.

Visit these websites for further information on safe home heating, which you can share in your community.

Click here for home heating safety resources from the United States Fire Administration (USFA).

Click here for heating equipment and safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).