YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. – Yakima County Fire District 4 is reminding people of the importance of heater safety during the cold weather months.
Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths, according to the National Fire Protection Association, with half of all home heating fires reported in Dec, Jan. and Feb.
Heating equipment safety tips to stay warm and safe this winter.
Keep a three-foot area around heating equipment free of any flammable objects.Have a three-foot “kid free zone” around open fires and space heaters.Never use the oven to heat your home.Have a professional install heating equipment, including water heaters and central heating equipment.Have your heating equipment and chimney cleaned and inspected every year.Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to bed.For fuel burning heaters follow the manufacturers instructions and use the proper fuel.Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks and store cool ashes in a metal container away from your house.Test the smoke alarms throughout your home at least once a month.
