Tennessee State Fire Marshal gives Tennesseans Tips to Heat Homes Safely

Nashville, TN – Tennessee State Fire Marshal Gary West is reminding Tennesseans to keep fire safety in mind as they heat their homes this winter season. As temperatures dip, it is important to know the proper way to use different methods of heating.

“The colder weather means many people will begin to heat their homes with fireplaces, woodstoves, and space heaters,” said West. “Cold weather months typically have a higher number of accidental fire injuries and deaths due to the use of these alternate heat sources.”Heating equipment is a major cause of home fire devastation. According to the Tennessee Fire Incident Reporting System, last year heating equipment was involved in 654 structure fires.

These fires resulted in 12 deaths, 14 injuries, and $9.16 million in direct property damage.

Here are some tips that can help prevent most heating-related fires from occurring:

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• 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 codes 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.
• Burn only dry, seasoned wood in fireplaces and woodstoves. Never burn garbage or use flammable liquids to start a fire.
• 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.
• If the pilot light of your gas heater goes out, allow 5 minutes or more for the gas to go away before trying to relight the pilot. Follow manufacturer’s instructions when relighting the pilot. Do not allow gas to accumulate, and light the match before you turn on the gas to the pilot to avoid risk of flashback.
• Don’t forget to install smoke alarms on every level of your home and to test them monthly. Develop and practice a home fire escape plan with everyone in your home. The plan should include two ways out of every room and a designated meeting place outside where everyone can be accounted for.

Keep your home warm and your loved ones safe. Remember to follow these simple guidelines.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is a division of the Department of Commerce and Insurance, which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. Visit our website at www.tn.gov/fire for more fire prevention tips. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.