OLATHE, Kan. – With winter weather moving over the metro, we want to help keep your family safe by sharing a few home heating safety tips.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment was involved with an esitmated 45,500 reported home fires and caused $449 million in direct property damage in 2002.
- If you burn wood in your fireplace, have your chimney cleaned frequently by an expert to avoid a build-up of creosote.
- Never use a flammable liquid, like gasoline, to start a fire in your fireplace.
- Burn only seasoned, dry wood in your fireplace.
- Dispose of fireplace ashes properly - never put ashes in or near something that could burn, like plastic garbage bags, cardboard boxes, etc.
- SPACE HEATERS NEED SPACE! Keep them away from curtains, blankets, clothes and other items that could catch on fire. Unplug the heater when finished or before going to bed.
- Make sure fireplaces and wood burning stoves have special glass doors or a tight fitting screen to keep sparks from flying out.
- Have your furnace checked regularly by an expert.
- Keep all materials, like newspapers, boxes, rags, etc., at least three feet from heating appliances like the furnace and hot water heater.
- Always keep children and pets away from fireplaces, space heaters, furnaces and hot water heaters.
In addition, Olathe Fire Chief George Bentley asks everyone to test their smoke alarms by pushing the test button, planning "two ways out" and practicing those escape routes with the entire family.
Information from the Olathe Fire Department
