As the winter weather continues to blanket the country, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) urges consumers to play it safe in order to prevent fires in the home.
According to the USFA, home fires spike in winter. Cooking and home heating are the leading cause of residential building fires during the winter. Fire risk also increased with the use of supplemental heating, such as space heaters.
CPSC estimates that home heating was associated with an average of 33,300 fires and 180 fire deaths per year from 2005 to 2007.
Another serious threat in the winter months carbon monoxide (CO), known as the ?invisible killer? because it is a gas, colorless and odorless toxic. Any fuel burning appliances, including furnaces and fireplaces, a potential source of CO
Since 1999, there has been an increasing trend in unintentional, non-fire CO deaths associated with consumer products ? most of which related to heating systems and portable generators. CPSC staff estimated 184 CO poisoning deaths on average per year from 2005-2007 compared to 122 deaths per year from 1999-2001.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are an important line of defense in the home, and they give consumers valuable time to escape. About two-thirds of fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms, or in homes where consumers have removed the battery alarm or where the battery dies. More recently, a tragic death in a house where the alarm can be produced differences:
In Citra, Florida, fire killed five children on November 8. Their house did not have smoke alarms.
In Penfield, NY, a man killed 54-year CO poisoning in November. Before his death, reportedly CO alarm goes off and taken home from home.
CPSC and USFA recommends that in addition to having working smoke and CO alarms, consumers should follow the following safety tips to prevent fires and CO poisoning:
Place space heaters on a flat and level floor.
Do not put a space heater carpet or carpet.
Keep space heaters at least three feet from bedding, silk, furniture, and other flammable materials.
Keep space heaters foot traffic.
Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
To avoid risk of fire, never leave a space heater on when you go to sleep or place a space heater close to any sleeping person.
Turn on your heater when you leave the area.
Never use gasoline in a kerosene space heater. Even small amounts of gasoline mixed with kerosene can increase the risk of fire.
There are people in the fireplace flues and chimneys inspected for leakage and blockage from creosote or debris every year.
Open the fireplace damper before lighting the fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. An open damper may help prevent build up of toxic gases in the house.
Store fireplace ashes a fire-resistant container, and cover the container with a lid. Keep the container outdoors and away from flammable.
Dispose of fireplace ashes carefully, keeping them away from dry leaves, trash or other combustible materials.
Preventing CO Poisoning
Schedule an annual professional inspection of all fuel-burning home heating systems, including furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, wood stoves, water heaters, Chimneys, flues and vents.
NEVER operate a portable gasoline-powered generator in an enclosed space such as a garage, shed, or crawlspace, or in the home.
Keep portable generators as far away from your home and ?your neighbor?s home as possible ? away from open doors, windows or vents that could allow deadly carbon monoxide into the house.
When buying a space heater, ask the salesperson whether the heater is safety-certified. A certified heater has a safety certification mark. These heaters are the most up-to-date safety features. Unvented gas space heater that meets current safety standards will shut off if oxygen levels fall too low.
Do not use portable propane space heaters indoors or in any confined space, unless specifically designed for indoor use. Always follow the manufacturer?s directions for proper use.
Never use a gas or electric stoves heat homes. They are not intended for that purpose and can cause CO or fire hazard.
More information can be found on the Safety Alert CPSC, fire risk reduction for portable electric heaters.
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