Prevention

Fire prevention information from FEMA for the holidays and winter season

Be prepared for a fire:

• One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to have a working smoke alarm that can sound fast for both a fire that has flames, and a smoky fire that has fumes without flames. It is called a "Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm." A smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire.
• Make and practice a home fire escape plan and set a meeting place outside. Make sure everyone in your family knows at least two (2) escape routes from their bedrooms.

Stop a winter fire before it starts:    (Back to top)

• Make sure wood stoves are properly installed away from combustible surfaces, have good floor supports, and have proper ventilation so that the smoke can exit the home safely. Never use flammable liquids (such as gasoline) to start a fire or keep one going.
• Make sure your space heaters have an emergency shut off in case they tip over. ONLY use the fuel recommended by the manufacturer. Never refill a space heater while it is on or still hot. Refuel heaters outside, away from the house.
• Kerosene heaters are not allowed in many areas—check before you use one.
• Have your furnace and chimney professionally inspected every year and cleaned, if necessary. Chimney tar build-up is a common cause of chimney fires.
• Use a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace to stop sparks from setting nearby carpets or furniture on fire.
• Never thaw frozen pipes with a blow torch or other open flame. Use hot water or a laboratory tested device, such as a hair dryer.
• Dispose of hot ashes in covered metal containers and place the containers away from the house.
• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.

Stop a holiday fire before it starts:    (Back to top)

• Do not place your holiday tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree and it could catch fire by heat, flame, or sparks more easily.
• Never put holiday tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove.
• When the tree becomes dry, remove it from your home right away. The best way to get rid of your tree is to take it to a recycling center or have it collected by a community pick-up service.
• Check holiday lights each year for wires that are worn out or coming apart, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and a lot of bends or twists in the wire.
• Only use laboratory-tested lighting and extension cords.
• Never overload outlets or extension cords. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet.
• Do not leave lit holiday lights on unless someone is in the room.
• Avoid using lit candles. If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and put them where they cannot be easily knocked over and start a fire.
• Never leave the home with candles burning.

Prevent chimney fires:    (Back to top)

• In rural areas, more fires start in the chimney than in any other place of the home.
• Smoke residue build-up in your chimney and lack of maintained fireplaces pose dangerous fire threats.
• Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned yearly by a certified specialist.

Important facts about heaters:    (Back to top)

Are space heaters in your home close to curtains, a stack of newspapers or other flammable materials? Heating is the second leading cause of fire death for older adults. To make sure you’ll stay warm and safe this winter, follow these life-saving tips:

• When buying a space heater, look for the auto-off feature should the heater fall over.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from other objects.
• Your fireplace should have a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs.

Use of alternative heaters:    (Back to top)

• Kerosene heaters are not allowed in most places.
• If you use a kerosene heater, only use the type of fuel listed in the instructions.
• Allow your heater to cool before refueling and only refuel outdoors.
• Keep the fire inside the fireplace by making sure you have a fireplace screen large enough to stop flying sparks and rolling logs.
• Have your chimney inspected at least once a year. Tar build-up inside of the chimney can cause the chimney, roof, and the whole house to go up in flames.
• Space heaters need space. Keep items at least three feet away from each heater.
• When buying a space heater, only buy one with a safety feature that automatically shuts off the power if the heater falls over.
• Carefully follow manufacturers’ set up and maintenance instructions.
• For wood stove fuel, use only seasoned wood—never use green wood, artificial logs, or trash. Seasoned wood looks dark, or gray when compared to green wood. Seasoned wood is white on the inside.

Special fire prevention information for seniors:    (Back to top)

• Fire can easily happen in the kitchen, so be extra careful when cooking. Remember not to leave food unattended and don’t wear loose clothing, like shirts with big sleeves, when cooking.
• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
• Double-check the kitchen to be sure the oven and all appliances are turned off before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Keep flammable materials, like drapes and clothing, at least three (3) feet away from your heater, because they can catch on fire.
• Never overload outlets or extension cords.

Using portable generators:    (Back to top)

Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they can be hazardous. The primary hazards to avoid when using them are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock or electrocution, and fire.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) would like you to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from improper use of portable generators.

To avoid carbon monoxide hazards:

• Always use generators outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents.
• NEVER use generators in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, or other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation.
• Follow manufacturer's instructions.
• Install battery-operated or plug-in (with battery backup) carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home, following manufacturer's instructions.
• Test CO alarms often and replace batteries when needed.

To avoid electrical hazards:

• Keep the generator dry. Operate on a dry surface under an open, canopy- like structure.
• Dry your hands before touching the generator.
• Plug appliances directly into generator or use a heavy-duty outdoor- rated extension cord. Make sure en tire extension cord is free of cuts or tears and the plug has all 3 prongs, especially a grounding pin.
• NEVER plug the generator into a wall outlet. This practice, known as backfeeding, can cause an electrocution risk to utility workers and others served by the same utility transformer.
• If necessary to connect generator to house wiring to power appliances, have a qualified electrician install appropriate equipment. Or, your utility company may be able to install an appropriate transfer switch.

To avoid fire hazards:

• Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.
• Always store fuel outside of living areas in properly labeled, non-glass containers.
• Store fuel away from any fuel-burning appliance.

Resources:    (Back to top)