Last week, the week of October 6th, was National Fire Prevention Week. We felt that a post pertaining to HVAC related fire prevention would be very beneficial. While our post is a tad belated, it’s still relevant for any time of year, especially during colder months!
All sorts of potential fire hazards come into play during the fall and winter months. With the need for heating, we often throw caution to the wind, focusing solely on making our house feel as cozy as possible. This is when problems arise.
The National Fire Protection Association purports that 53,600 reported U.S. home fires were due to heating equipment alone, in 2011. This resulted in 400 civilian deaths and 1,500 injuries, as well as $900 million in direct property damage. Here is a breakdown of what types of heating equipment sparked these fires:
While this type of house fire only accounts for 14% of annual residential fires, 100% of them were, and are, preventable through proper heating practices and precautions. Please read through the following fire prevention tips to keep your home safe this fall and winter:
#1 Proper Smoke Alarm Care
This is the most basic fire prevention necessity during anytime of year. There are some things you should always be aware of and take care of in regards to your smoke alarms.
- Are your smoke alarms in the right spot (i.e. each level of the home, outside sleeping areas and in each bedroom)?
- How old are your alarms? If they’re over 10 years old they must be replaced ASAP.
- Test your smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries every year.
**Nearly two-thirds of home fire deaths result from non-working smoke alarms.
#2 Central Heating Maintenance
It is important to get your central heating system cleaned, inspected and serviced by a true HVAC professional. You should schedule heating system maintenance every year before firing up your heating system.
If you happen to own a gas heater in your home, please make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors in place. At minimum, have a detector near the sleeping areas. Ideally, you should have one in every bedroom.
#3 Space Heater and Fireplace Safety
Space heaters are far and away the leading cause of civilian home fire deaths from heating equipment, and they are more or less the easiest to prevent. They are not exactly a necessity, but if you must have one in your home, please take note of the following:
- Leave a minimum three feet of space between the space heater and any objects, especially furniture or drapery.
- NEVER use the space heater to dry clothes or objects.
- ALWAYS turn space heaters off when leaving the home and going to sleep.
- Do not leave any combustible items near heaters.
At 38%, fireplaces and chimneys are the number one source of residential fires caused by heating equipment. It’s imperative then that you execute proper maintenance and precaution with your fireplace, each year. Please consider the following:
- Have your chimney inspected and cleaned out once a year.
- Repair cracks in the fireplace.
- Do not ever use gasoline to start or fuel a fire in your indoor fireplace.
- Keep combustible materials at least three feet from your fireplace.
- Have all connections and lines inspected on your natural gas fireplace before every cold weather season.
- Outdoor fireplaces can be just as dangerous, exercise precaution!
For further information on home heating safety and fire prevention, or if you’re ready to schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment, please get in touch!
215-657-1262
Willow Grove
215-646-5577
Ambler
1-866-HEAT-106
Toll Free
Email: John.Kinkaid.HVAC@Gmail.com