Wood burning stoves and space heaters are commonly used during wintertime to heat homes because of the high cost of heating fuels. These heating alternatives are also the reason for many residential fires.  Many fires can be prevented by easily following safety tips that help maintain a safe home this winter:

Furnace Heating

• Have your furnace checked every year before you begin to use it and be sure that all of the controls and emergency shut offs work properly.
• If your furnace needs repair, do not try to fix it yourself. Take the furnace to a qualified specialist.
• When the furnace is on, check your walls. If they are hot or discolored, you may need additional piping.
• Keep trash and other combustibles away from the furnace.
• Do not discard the ashes inside of your home; place them in a plastic container and dispose away from the house.

Kerosene Heaters

• Always inspect heater properly before use.
• Burning fuel in a house can produce deadly fumes, be sure to have proper venting.
• Only use the fuel recommended for the heater and never use cold fuel, which cold easily expand in the tank.
• Never fill the heater with fuel while it is in use and always refuel outdoors, away from young children.

Fireplaces and Woodstoves

• Make sure the fireplace of stove is properly installed.
• Check your chimney often and clean if necessary.
• Never use flammable liquid to start a fire.
• Use a screen in front of the fireplace or stove to keep embers from jumping out.
• Burn your stove at least twice a day to reduce the build up of creosote.
• Burning charcoal inside can produces lethal amounts of carbon monoxide; always burn charcoal outside.
• Never close your damper with hot coals inside the fireplace.

Always wear proper clothing when using these heating devices; loose clothing can be easily ignited and make sure to always turn off heating devices before going to sleep.  Every level of your residence should have properly working smoke alarms. Be sure to check out more home safety tips.