Although space heaters are the cause of only 32 percent of home heating fires, they are responsible for 79 percent of home heating fire deaths, according to a report issued this week from the National Fire Protection Association.
In 2007, 66,400 home fires were caused by heating equipment, resulting in 580 deaths, 1,850 injuries and $608 million in property damage.
To prevent home heating fires, Quincy, MA-based NFPA recommends:
- Do not allow children or flammable items such as paper, bedding or furniture within 3 feet of open fires or space heaters.
- Never use your oven for heating.
- Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
- Be sure heaters are placed on a level surface.
- Plug power cords directly into the outlet, not an extension cord. Check cords for damage before use.
- When using a liquid fuel heater, be sure to use fuel recommended by the manufacturer and refuel outdoors after the appliance has cooled.
- Only start a fire with newspaper or kindling. Never use liquid lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline.
