About 3,500 Americans die each year and around 18,300 are injured – in what are determined to be FIRES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. Many of these fires occur during the colder weather months when people are indoors more and power outages are more frequent. Each winter in West Virginia, home fires increase steadily between the months of November and April. With people spending more time indoors, the risk of fire due to misuse or malfunction of heating equipment rises as well.
Since over 60 percent of West Virginians live in rural areas, we must pay extra attention to preventing fires at home. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) believes rural fire problems can be reduced by teaching people to recognize the hazards. By following some of the outlined precautionary steps, you can greatly reduce your chances of becoming a fire casualty.
Check out these tips below from the USFA’s “Check Your Hot Spots” – to keep you and your family safe this winter season:
Wood Stoves
Wood stoves cause over 4,000 residential fires every year. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s installation and maintenance instructions. Look for solid construction, such as plate steel or cast iron metal. Check for cracks and inspect legs, hinges and door seals for smooth joints and seams. Use only seasoned wood for fuel, not green wood, artificial logs, or trash. Inspect and clean your pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions. Be sure to keep combustible objects at least three feet away from your wood stove.
Electric Space Heaters
Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Check to make sure it has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over. Heaters are not dryers or tables; don’t dry clothes or store objects on top of your heater. Space heaters need space; keep combustibles at least three feet away from each heater. Always unplug your electric space heater when not in use.
Kerosene Heaters
Check with your local fire department on the legality of kerosene heater use in your community. Never fill your heater with gasoline or camp stove fuel; both flare-up easily. Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene. Never overfill any portable heater. Use the kerosene heater in a well ventilated room.
Fireplaces
Fireplaces regularly build up creosote in their chimneys. They need to be cleaned out frequently and chimneys should be inspected for obstructions and cracks to prevent deadly chimney and roof fires. Check to make sure the damper is open before starting any fire. Never burn trash, paper or green wood in your fireplace. These materials cause heavy creosote buildup and are difficult to control. Use a screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks. Don’t wear loose-fitting clothes near any open flame. Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed. Store cooled ashes in a tightly sealed metal container outside the home.
Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. If you use fuel-burning heat sources and/or cooking equipment in your home, install carbon monoxide alarms and remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.