The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities have caused many Americans to search for alternate sources of home heating. The use of wood burning stoves is growing and space heaters are selling rapidly, or coming out of storage. Fireplaces are burning wood and man-made logs.

All these methods of heating may be acceptable. They are, however, a major contributing factor in residential fires. Many of these fires can be prevented. The following fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire safe home this winter.

Wood Stoves and Fireplaces

• Wood stoves and fireplaces are common heat sources in homes. Careful attention to safety can minimize their fire hazard.
• Be sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly. Wood stoves should have adequate clearance (36") from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection. It's best to have a professional provide the installation.
• Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design, and should be UL listed.
• Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary.
• Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.
• Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening to prevent embers or sparks from "jumping" out, unwanted material from going in, and help prevent the possibility of burns to occupants.
• A wood stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.
• Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build large fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by overbuilding a fire.
• Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.
• Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A spark from the fireplace could easily ignite these materials.
• Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. Never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.
• Check the chimney. Is the chimney solid? Cracked or loose bricks could allow a chimney fire to occur.
• If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package. Never break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.

Furnace Heating

• It is important to have your furnace inspected to ensure that it is in good working condition.
• Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are working properly.
• Leave furnace repairs to qualified specialists. Do not attempt repairs yourself.
• Inspect the walls and ceiling near the furnace and along the chimney line. If the wall is hot or discolored, additional pipe insulation or clearance may be required.

Other Fire Safety Tips

• Never discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house.
• Never use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating source. Not only is it a safety hazard, it can be a source for potentially toxic fumes.
• If you use an electric heater, be sure not to overload the circuit. Avoid using extension cords. Be sure to keep everything at least three feet away to keep combustibles from catching fire.
• Avoid using electric space heaters in bathrooms or other areas where they may come in contact with water.

For additional information, contact Fire District 6 at 360-576-1195 or publicinformation@ccfd6.org.