Home heating comes from a multitude of sources. Often times residents will supplement their main heating system with alternative heat sources such as fireplaces, wood stoves, and portable fuel or electric heaters. It’s important to reach residents in your communities early with alternative heating fire safety information so you can stop the fire before it starts.
Heating is one of the leading causes of home fires in the United States. Over 25 percent of these fires started due to improperly maintained heating equipment.
Safety Tips
- Have a heating contractor perform a yearly maintenance check-up of your furnace and ventilation system to ensure efficient, safe operation.
- Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shut-offs are in proper working order.
- Leave furnace repairs to qualified specialists. Do not attempt repairs yourself.
- Never store chemicals, chlorine, paint thinners, paint strippers, gasoline, or other flammables near the furnace.
- Make sure there is a free flow of air to the furnace. Keep an area of at least two feet around the furnace clear by removing any boxes or obstructions.
For more information, contact Countryside’s Fire Prevention Bureau at (847) 367-5511 or info@countrysidefire.com.