"Stop a fire by preventing it" series
Home fires can be devastating. Licks of flame do more than consume fuel and oxygen. They consume homes, valuables, and the cherished memories they hold. However, it’s in your power to help prevent the devastation. Follow along with our “Stop a fire by preventing it” series including this blog “Enlighten awareness on lithium-ion fires” <insert blog link>, “A recipe for preventing cooking fires”<insert blog link>, and “Fire safety for your home” <insert link> to discover the ways you can keep you, your home, and your family safe.
Home heating fire facts
There’s no doubt, Canada is a fantastic country. However, from coast to coast, it can get cold. Real cold. So, we’ll start up the furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, or portable heaters to fend off the creeping cold. Each presents certain risks. In fact, a 2015-2020 study across seven jurisdictions from StatsCan has shown that 14% of all home fire incidents were due to heating equipment. So great care should be taken when heating up your home.
How do home heating fires start
Some of the more common causes of fires include:
- lack of routine maintenance of heating equipment
- flammables stored too close to heating sources
- unsafe use of portable heaters
- creosote and soot buildup in chimneys
- improperly installed heating equipment
How to help prevent home heating fires
To help minimize the risk of home fires, the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs suggest the following:
Furnace safety
- Check your furnace for a blue, steady flame. It may be working improperly if the flame is pale yellow or wavy.
- Ensure your venting system is not soft, rusted, or broken.
- Make sure your furnace has no dust, rust, or signs of corrosion.
- Examine your furnace for discoloration or soot.
- Check your air filters monthly and clean or replace them when required.
- Prevent the build up of carbon monoxide by ensuring that furnace panels and grills are in place, and the fan compartment door is closed while in operation.
Fireplace and chimney safety
- Use dry, seasoned wood.
- Build smaller and hotter fires for more complete burns and less smoke.
- Prevent chimney fires by never burning cardboard, wrapping paper, or trash.
- Monitor flue temperatures for wood stoves by installing stovepipe thermometers.
- Inspect and clean the chimney regularly.
- Ensure any solid fuel (ex. fire wood) is stored away from the home.
Oil tank safety
- Only use professional, UL certified equipment.
- Schedule annual maintenance by a professional.
- Only use fuel approved for the devices.
- Ensure liquid fuel is stored in an appropriate tank.
- For oil tanks, ensure there is a secondary containment system designed for the tank.
Portable heater safety
- Don’t place heater under furniture or enclosed areas.
- Only use space heaters in occupied rooms and keep an eye on heaters that are in operation.
- Don’t plug heaters into extension cords.
- Examine the heater before use and never use if there is visible damage or signs of malfunction.
- Don’t place heaters in exit routes or hallways.
- Don’t use heaters in wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens.
- Keep children and pets away from heaters.
Canada is indeed a wintry wonderland. And heating your home is a necessity. You can do it safely and smartly as those Alberta Clippers whoop it up across the country.
