GENERAL HEATING SAFETY TIPS:
The U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission recommends the following
safety tips for space heaters:
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Select a space heater with a guard around the flame area or the heating
element to protect children and clothing.
-
Keep children and pets away from space heaters. Some heaters get very hot.
Children should not be permitted to either adjust the controls or move the
heater.
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When selecting a heater, look for one that has been certified by a
nationally recognized testing laboratory.
-
Buy a heater that is the correct size for the area you want to heat. The
wrong size heater could produce more pollutants and may not be an efficient
use of energy.
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Read and follow the manufacturer's operating instructions, and make sure all
members of the household understand how to operate the heater safely.
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Keep doors open to the rest of the house if you are using an un-vented
fuel-burning space heater. This helps to prevent pollutant build-up and
promotes proper combustion. Even vented heaters require ventilation for
proper combustion.
-
Never leave a space heater on when you sleep or leave the area. This is a
carbon monoxide and fire hazard.
-
Never use or store paints, solvents or flammable liquids around a space
heater. Flammable vapors can ignite.
- Be
aware that mobile homes require specially designed heating equipment. Only
electric or vented fuel-fired heaters should be used.
-
Place heaters at least three feet away from objects such as bedding,
furniture and drapes.
-
Never use heaters to dry clothes or shoes.
- Do
not place heaters where towels or other objects could fall on the heater and
start a fire.
-
Equip your home with at least one smoke alarm on each floor and outside
sleeping areas.
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Install a carbon monoxide alarm that meets the requirements of the current
UL standard 2034 or the IAS 6-96 standard in the hallway near every separate
sleeping area of the home.
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Keep at least one dry-powder operative, ABC-type fire extinguisher in the
home at all times.
-
Keep areas around heat sources free of papers and trash.
-
Develop a fire escape plan before a fire occurs. Be certain that all
members of the household understand the plan and are able to carry out the
plan in case of emergency.
- Be
sure the plan includes a predetermined meeting place outside the house.
- If
you clothing does catch fire, don't run! Drop down immediately, cover face
with hands, and roll to smother the flames. Teach your family how to do
this.
·
Have
annual safety checks on all home-heating equipment.
SAFETY
TIPS FOR KEROSENE SPACE HEATERS
-
Never use gasoline in
kerosene heaters. Even very small quantities of gasoline in the heater tank
can cause a fire. Kerosene should never be stored or carried in a container
that has contained gasoline because the residual gasoline is enough to
increase the flammability of the kerosene.
-
Only use 1-K kerosene in kerosene heaters. Kerosene should be purchased
from a dealer who can certify that it is 1-K grade kerosene. The fact that
kerosene is "water clear" does not ensure that it is 1-K.
-
Never fill the fuel tank of a kerosene heater beyond the full mark. As the
fuel warms, it expands and could spill and cause a fire.
- Do
not attempt to remove the fuel tank, or refuel the heater when it is
operating or hot. The heater should not be moved while it is operating.
Refuel the heater out of doors.
- If
flare-up or uncontrolled flaming occurs, do not attempt to move the heater.
If you heater is equipped with a manual shut-off switch, activate the switch
to turn off the heater. Do not attempt to extinguish a kerosene-heater fire
with water or blankets. If activation of the shut-off switch does not
extinguish the flame, leave the area and immediately call the fire
department.
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Keep kerosene stored outside in a sealed blue container labeled "Kerosene."
SAFETY
TIPS FOR PORTABLE ELECTRIC SPACE HEATERS:
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Portable electric
heaters made after 1991 include many new performance requirements to enhance
safety.
- A
tip-over switch on some models will turn the heater off when it is tipped
until it is turned upright again.
-
Some new heaters also include indicator lights to let users know that the
heater is plugged in or is turned on.
-
Some manufacturers include safety controls like infrared or proximity
sensors that can turn a heater off when objects come too close, or when
children or pets are near.
-
Use heaters on the floor. Never place heaters on furniture.
- Do
not use heaters in wet or moist places, such as bathrooms, unless certified
for that purpose.
- Do
not hide cords under rugs or carpets. Placing anything on top of the cord
could cause the cord to overheat, and can cause a fire.
- Do
not use an extension cord unless absolutely necessary. Using a light-duty,
household extension cord with high-wattage appliances can start a fire. If
you must use an extension cord, it must be marked #14 or #12 A WG; this
tells the thickness or gauge of the wire in the cord.
- Be
sure the plug fits snugly in the outlet. Since a loose plug can overheat,
have a qualified repairman replace the worn-out plug or outlet. If the plug
feels hot, unplug the heater and have a qualified repairman check for
problems. If the heater and its plug are found to be working properly, have
the outlet replaced.
- If
a heater is used on an outlet protected by a ground fault circuit
interrupter (GFCI) and the DFCI trips, do not assume the GFCI is broken.
Because GFCIs protect the location where leakage currents can cause a severe
shock, stop using the heater and have it checked, even if it seems to be
working properly.
·
Broken heaters should ONLY be checked and repaired by a qualified appliance
service center.
SAFETY
TIPS FOR WOOD OR COAL BURNING HEATERS
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Existing building codes
and manufacturer's instructions must be followed during installation.
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Buy wood-burning stoves that are certified as meeting EPA emission
standards.
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Check chimney and stovepipes frequently during the heating season for
creosote build-up and have them cleaned annually. Also make sure you have
an adequate supply of fresh air.
-
Stoves must be placed on an approved floor protector or fire resistant
floor, and must be located at lease 18 inches from the wall and three feet
from draperies, furniture and other combustible materials.
- Do
not burn trash or anything other than the proper fuel. In a wood-burning
heater, use only dry, seasoned wood and not Christmas trees or other highly
volatile wood products.
-
Use a metal container for ash removal.
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