NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- With October being National Fire Prevention Month, this week, we are providing information on another topic to raise awareness about the importance of fire safety, as well as promote life-saving practices and home fire safety education.
We can all agree that there is something about curling up with a good book by the fireplace during the winter months. However, did you know that heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths? With a few simple safety tips and precautions, you can prevent most heating fires from ever occurring.
- Keep anything that can burn at least three-feet away from heating equipment, such as the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
- Have a three-foot "kid-free zone" around open fires and space heaters.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters, or central heating equipment according to the local code and manufacturer's instructions.
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop 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.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month.