Using Your Fireplace Or Electric Heater This Fall

The weather is turning chilly, and if you haven't started using your fireplace or space heater, you may want to check out a few safety tips from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. It's better to be safe than sorry, especially since alternate heating sources increase the likelihood of a residential fire. 

When using alternate heating sources: 

• Keep at least three feet of clearance between your heat source and anything combustible.        
• Don't keep or store combustible materials in closed areas or near a heat source.       
• Never leave a heater on when you are not in the room or when you go to sleep, and never leave children or pets unattended near heating sources.
• If you use an electric heater, be careful not to overload the electrical circuit. 
• Avoid using electrical heaters in bathrooms as they may come in contact with water.        
• Only use heaters that have been tested to the latest safety standards and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories. These heaters will have the most up-to-date safety features, such as automatic shut-offs. 
• Do not use a range or oven as an alternate heating source. This is a safety hazard and may be a source of toxic fumes.
• Do not use fuel burning appliances without the proper room ventilation.
• Never fill a kerosene heater while it is in operation or hot. Avoid overfilling.

The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that there are about 54,500 annual heating fires in residential structures in the United States.

Like the smell or ambiance created by candles? Annually, candles account for about 23,600 house fires across the country, about 165 deaths and 1,525 injuries - costing about $390 million in property loss.

Stay warm and safe!