San Antonio Help Prevent Heating Hazards

12/31/2014 (Permalink)

Helpful tips to prevent fire damage in your San Antonio home

Winter is in full swing! The days are shorter and the temperatures are lower.  No matter where you live, winter brings a change in the weather.  In surrounding areas of San Antonio.  In an effort to keep our homes and workplaces cozy, many people use alternative heat sources like fireplaces, portable space heaters, and wood burning stoves.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is involved in an estimated 53,600 reported residential fires annually, with associated losses of 400 deaths, 1,520 injuries, and $893 million in property damage.  Heating is the second leading cause of residential fire deaths, making it important to review ways to help reduce the risk of a heating- related fire.

• Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heating equipment.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer's instructions.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Plug space heaters directly into outlets, never into an extension cord or power strip.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide and smoke alarms inside your home and business.  Test alarms monthly.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• When using a wood-burning fireplace, make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to help prevent sparks from flying into the room.  Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container.  Keep the container a safe distance away from your home or business.

Fast Fact:

50% of all residential heating-related fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February

If fire or smoke damage does happen, remember that we are always here to help.