Staying Safe While Staying Warm This Winter

1/9/2020 (Permalink)

As any Maine resident would know, our winters tend to be on the colder end of the spectrum. Although this winter has been fairly mild so far, you never know when the next cold snap will strike. Every time we crank the heat, it's important to remember the hazards involved.

Unfortunately, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires in the United States. During the period of 2009-2013, heating equipment was the cause of 16% of all reported home fires, which is roughly 56,000 fires; these fires led to 470 deaths, 1,490 injuries and $1 billion in property damage. Half of all home fires caused by heating equipment occur in December, January and February.

Here are some easy steps to help prevent heating-related fires from occurring: 

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Keep an eye on your pets when they're within proximity of all space heaters and open fires, as well.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

Heating your home is extremely important during the cold winter months, but it's equally as important to do so safely.

Should you suffer fire damage, contact SERVPRO of Bangor/Ellsworth at (207)947-0400!  Let us help you make it "Like it never even happened."