Practice Fire Safety When Using Heating Devices

It can be very expensive to heat a home with built-in utilities and people often turn to alternate sources of heat during the cold winter months. Because of this, the number of home fires increases from December through February, mainly due to portable space heaters. Try the following safety tips for using heating devices this winter.

Portable space heaters

Purchase models that have an emergency shut-off feature if the unit is knocked over
Keep heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable materials such as paper items, bedding and curtains
Avoid placing heaters is high-traffic areas where they can easily be knocked over
Avoid using heaters in bathrooms or other areas where they can come in contact with water
Always turn off heaters before leaving the house and before going to sleep

Kerosene heaters

Frequently inspect exhaust parts for carbon buildup and clean when necessary
Only use fuel burning heaters in areas that are properly vented to avoid exposure to carbon monoxide
Only use the type of fuel that is recommended by the manufacturer for your particular unit
Never fill the heater while it is turned on or hot
Refuel outdoors only and store fuel outdoors in approved metal containers
Follow all of the above portable heater tips for kerosene heaters as well

Fireplaces

Use a screen to prevent sparks from leaping out and igniting nearby items
Only burn wood or synthetic logs in your fireplace
Never burn charcoal indoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
Rid your mantel of flammable items before lighting a fire
Ensure the a fire is completely extinguished before leaving the house or going to sleep
Never leave a burning fire unattended
Have a professional chimney sweep clean your chimney annually to get rid of built-up creosote that can ignite inside the chimney

Texas winters can be cold and we understand the importance of keeping your family safe. Call Integrity Network Insurance Group at 512-989-6006 for more information on Round Rock home insurance.

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