In our
efforts to stay warm this winter, it's important to remember
that heating equipment is the number one cause of home
fires in the United States. To ensure your safety, you
should follow these fire safety tips provided by the National
Fire Protection Association:
- If
you have a fireplace, make sure you have your chimney inspected
by a professional every winter and cleaned if necessary.
A chemical substance called Creosote forms when wood burns
and can build up in a chimney and cause a fire if not properly
cleaned.
- Protect
your home and family by always using a sturdy screen when
burning wood.
- Remember
to burn wood only. Never burn paper or pine boughs
because they can float out of the chimney and ignite your
roof or that of a neighboring house.
- If
you purchase a factory-built fireplace, select one listed
by an independent testing laboratory.
If
you own a wood stove, be sure to inspect chimney connections
and chimney flues at the beginning of each heating season.
They should also be cleaned periodically.
- Follow
the same safety rules for wood stoves as you would for space
heaters. Burn wood only and be sure the wood stove is
placed on an approved stove board to protect your floor
from heat and hot coals. Be sure to check with your
local fire department and check local codes before having
your wood stove installed.
- Remember:
SAFETY should be your first consideration when heating your
home.
This
public service announcement was produced by the New York Center
for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH). Publication
date: 1994.
Disclaimer and Reproduction Information: Information in
NASD does not represent NIOSH policy. Information included in
NASD appears by permission of the author and/or copyright holder.
More