Safety tips from the NFPA to help prevent heating-related home fires
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment,
- like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- If you have children living in your home, have a three-foot “kid-free zone”
- around open fires and space heaters to ensure their safety.
- Avoid using an oven to heat your home. Residents should have a licensed professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
- Avoid using space heaters as your primary heating source in your home.
- Never leave portable heaters on when you leave a room or the house, or go to bed.
- All heating equipment/chimneys should be cleaned and inspected every year by a licensed professional.
- Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
- If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.
- 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.
- All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
While Cooking/General Tips
- Grills should only be used outdoors.
- Keep grills or outdoor cooking items away from the home.
- Grills should never be used or set up on closed porches or the second-story of a home or apartment building.
- Clean the grill before and after cooking to prevent grease build-up.
- Never leave a grill unattended while cooking and ensure it is off before returning to the home or leaving the property.
- Children and pets should be kept at least 3 feet away from the grilling area and grilling equipment, including propane tanks.
- Keep an extinguisher or water source nearby in case the fire from the grill gets out of control.
- Keep heat sources, and ignitions including lighters and matches, away from open fires and grills.
Propane Grills
- Check the tank hose for leaks before using it. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose to check for a leak. If there is a propane leak bubbles will be released.
- If it smells like gas while cooking, safely turn off the grill and call 911 from a safe location.
- Do not smoke while handling a propane tank.
- If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least five minutes before re-lighting it.
- When storing propane, keep in a cool, dry place outdoors and at least 10 feet away from a house, deck, or structure.
Charcoal Grills
- There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
- Only use charcoal starter fluid when starting a charcoal grill. Do not use gas or other lighter fluids.
- Let the coals cool completely before disposing. Dispose of coals in a cool metal container.
- Keep charcoal starter fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
How To Prevent a Chimney Fire
- Have your chimney cleaned annually by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep. Dirty chimneys can cause chimney fires.
- Have your chimney inspected annually, even if you don’t use your chimney often. A chimney inspection can help prevent carbon monoxide and chimney fires, and can identify potential system issues to address before they become dangerous or costly.
- Ensure there are no prior damages to your chimney that may impact its ability to work safely.
- Be sure to properly dispose of ashes from chimneys and stoves.
- Be sure that the damper of the chimney is open before lighting a fire.
- Use a fireplace screen to prevent flying sparks and embers from falling out onto the floor.
- Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Signs of a Chimney Damaged by a Chimney Fire
- “Puffy” or “honey combed” creosote
- Warped metal of the damper, metal smoke chamber connector pipe or factory-built metal chimney
- Cracked or collapsed flue tiles, or tiles with large chunks missing
- Discolored and/or distorted rain cap
- Heat-damaged TV antenna attached to the chimney
- Creosote flakes and pieces found on the roof or ground
- Roofing material damaged from hot creosote
- Cracks in exterior masonry
- Evidence of smoke escaping through mortar joints of masonry or tile liners
Operating a chimney that has previously experienced a fire is a safety risk. If you suspect that your chimney has been impacted by fire, call a certified sweep to assess damages and make recommendations for repairs to ensure your chimney is safe.
Chimney fires can burn intensely and can spread to other parts of a house. Many chimney fires are slow-burning and may not get enough air or fuel to be visible. However, slow-burning fires can reach very high temperatures and can cause extensive damage to a chimney’s structure or other parts of the house.
If you hear loud cracking or popping noises, see dense smoke or notice an intense, hot smell coming from your chimney, call 911 immediately.
Heating Safety
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- If you have children living in your home, have a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters to ensure their safety.
- Avoid using an oven to heat your home.
- Residents should have a licensed professional to install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
- Avoid using space heaters as your primary heating source in your home.
- Never leave portable heaters on when you leave a room or the house or go to bed.
- Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.
- If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.
- All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning
Heat Safety Tips
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Replace salt and minerals with snacks or a sports drink.
- KEEP COOL – Spend as much time as you can in cooler surroundings. Use air conditioners to cool the air. Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device during a heat advisory.
- Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat
- Factors that may impact a person’s ability to cool off during a heat wave include age, weight, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use.
- In particular, those over age 65 or under age two, people with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women are those at the highest risk during an extreme heat event.
- If someone doesn’t have air conditioning, they should seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like libraries, theaters, malls, etc.
- Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out.
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
- Slow down, stay indoors, and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day, which is typically around 3 p.m.
- Postpone or withdraw from outdoor games and activities if the temperature is too hot.
- Use your stove less and try to cook your meals in the cooler part of the day.
- Take frequent breaks if working outdoors. The CDC recommends workers performing heavy-duty work in 96-degree temperatures should work for 45 minutes and rest for 15.
- Hot cars can be deadly. It is never safe to leave a child, disabled person, or pet in your vehicle. Cars can quickly reach 100-degree temperatures, leaving unattended passengers vulnerable to sudden heat-related illnesses.
- Always leave your car locked when you are not using it, even in your own driveway.
- Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water. Do not leave your animals outdoors unattended for more than 15 minutes.
- Parents should limit playtime at peak sun exposure time and familiarize themselves with the signs of heat illnesses. Any playground equipment or outdoor toy that is hot to the touch is too hot for a child to safely use.
The department also reminds the community to remain vigilant for signs and symptoms of heat stroke, including:
- A fever above 103 degrees
- Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Confusion
- Nausea
In case of heat stroke, call 911 immediately. Move the person into a cool place. Attempt to cool the body down using wet cloths, fanning, misting, or a cool bath. Do not give the person anything to drink.
Also, be on the lookout for the following symptoms of heat exhaustion:
- Heavy sweating
- Cold, pale, and clammy skin
- Fast, weak pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness or weakness
- Fainting
- Dizziness
For more information about heat stroke and heat exhaustion from the CDC, click here.
In case of heat exhaustion, move to a cool place, tighten any loose clothing, attempt to cool the body, and sip water slowly. Seek medical help immediately if vomiting occurs, symptoms last longer than an hour or get worse, or if confusion develops.
Dial 911 in case of any severe illnesses or injuries.