Prevent house fires with common sense, safety tactics
Lynda Clancy
Mon, 02/08/2021 - 2:15pm
Unplug small appliances when not in use. (Images courtesy U.S. Fire Administration — Working for a Fire-Safe America)
(Images courtesy U.S. Fire Administration — Working for a Fire-Safe America)
(Images courtesy U.S. Fire Administration — Working for a Fire-Safe America)
(Images courtesy U.S. Fire Administration — Working for a Fire-Safe America)
(Images courtesy U.S. Fire Administration — Working for a Fire-Safe America)
As winter continues its grip on Maine, the use of space heaters and wood stoves increases, bringing with it specific dangers that can be avoided.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating is the second leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, and the third leading cause of home fire deaths. Cooking fires are the predominant cause of house fires.
“Last year, NFPA stated that the number one reason for house fires (about 45% in total) is from unattended cooking,” said Rockland Fire Chief Chris Whytock. “We have seen countless fires in our area start in this same manner. Any appliance that runs on electricity and generates heat is always looked at during an investigation.”
In 2020, the U.S. Fire Administration reported 16 civilian home fire fatalities in Maine.
“No other room in your home is a better set up than your kitchen,” said Whytock. “Make sure when you aren’t using appliances they are unplugged. Just in the last month Rockland had a small kitchen fire at an apartment complex that was accidently started when an appliance was turned on without the tenant realizing they hit the ignition button.”
Nationwide, local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 48,530 fires involving heating equipment per year in 2014-2018, accounting for 14% of all reported home fires during this time, the NFPA said.
“Even with all of the modern technology that exists in our world, many fires are still accidental,” Whytock said. “If you can reduce the number of potential causes you can reduce the risk to you and your family.”
Fires over the four-year 2014-2018 period resulted in annual losses of 500 civilian deaths, 1,350 civilian injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage.
But many fires can be avoided, and firefighters urge residents to:
Keep anything that can burn at least three-feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
Establish a three-foot kid-free zone around open fires and space heaters.
Never use the oven to heat a home.
Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
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.
Small appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
Unplug small appliances when not in use.
Do not use a clothes dryer without a lint filter.
Clean the clothes dryer lint filter before and after each cycle.
