RRFD: Exercise caution when using heating equipment

The Round Rock Fire Department encourages residents to use caution when using alternative heating equipment this week. 

On average, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research shows that heating equipment is involved in an estimated 56,000 reported U.S. home structure fires per year, causing 470 deaths and 1,490 injuries per year.

“As a leading cause of home fires, heating safety is a concern anytime we have freezing temperatures in Texas,” Fire Chief Shane Glaiser said. “Families need to be especially vigilant to use all heating appliances properly.”

When using home heating equipment, remember these tips:

• Never use an oven to heat your home.
• Space heaters need space. Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
• Ensure that heat lamps are secure and that combustible products are not in contact with the heat lamp. Heat lamps have been known to create fires that start from dog houses or bird cages and spread to the home.
• Turn portable heaters off and blow out candles when you go to bed or leave the room.
• Generators should always be used outside, and never inside a home or garage.
• Have your chimney inspected each year by a qualified professional and cleaned if necessary. 
• Use a sturdy fireplace screen. 
• Wood stoves should bear the label of a qualified testing laboratory. 
• In wood stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets. Do not use charcoal indoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Do not use cedar in your fireplace — use only a sapless wood like oak.
• Allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose of ashes in a metal container.
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home. For the best protection interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home — when one sounds, they all sound. Test smoke alarms at least once a month. 
• When using a fuel-burning portable heater, always use the proper fuel as specified by the manufacturer. When refueling, allow the appliance to cool and refuel outside. 
• Install and maintain a carbon monoxide alarm outside each separate sleeping area, on every level of the home, and other locations as required by laws, codes or standards.

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Source: City of Round Rock