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Fire Prevention - Home Fire Safety

Candles

• Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
• Use sturdy, safe candleholders.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish candles when you leave a room.
• Be careful not to splatter wax when extinguishing a candle.
• Avoid using candles in bedrooms and sleeping areas.
• Always use a flashlight, not a candle, for emerency lighting.
• Consider using battery-operated flameless candles.

 

Heating

• Make sure that your choice of heating equipment is permitted by law in your community. For example, kerosene heaters, chimneys, and fire pits are not allowed in all communities.
• Make sure that your heating equipment has the label showing that it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory.
• Install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer's instructions.
• If possible, have a qualified professional install the equipment.
• Make sure that all fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside. Make sure that the venting for exhaust is kept clear and unobstructed. This includes removal of snow around the outlet to the outside.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms to avoid risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
• Space heaters need space. Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
• Supervise children when open fires and space heaters are being used and install a non-combustible screen around the appliance to prevent burns, which are even more common than fire injuries.
• Cooking appliances should not be used to heat a home.
• For fuel assistance, contact the National Fuel Funds Network at 1-202-824-0660. Contact local officials to find out if local weatherization programs are available in the community.

 

Smoking

• If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes if they are available in your area. They are less likely to cause fires.
• If you smoke, smoke outside.
• Wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays.
• Before you throw out butts and ashes, make sure that they are out, and dousing in water or sand is the best way to do it.

• Never smoke where oxygen is being used.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Before going to bed, check under furniture cushions and in other places that people smoke for cigarette butts that may have fallen out of sight.
• To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you have to be alert. You won't be if you are sleepy, or have taken medicine or drugs that make you drowsy.

 

Portable Space Heaters

• Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
• Plug power cords only into outlets with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.
• Inpsect for cracked or frayed, broken plugs or loose connections. Replace before using.

 

Open Air Burning

• Open air burning is restricted in many areas of Utah. Call the local fire department or municipality before outdoor or open air burning, incuding brush fires, fire pits, and burn barrels.
• Closely attend all outdoor fires.
• Use chimneys, outdoor fireplaces, and fire pits outdoors only and at least 10 feet away from the home or anything that can burn.

 

Fuel Burning Space Heaters

• Always use the proper fuel as specified by the manufacturer.
• When refueling, allow the appliance to cool and refuel outside or in a well-ventilated area.
• When using the heater, open a window to ensure adequate venting.

 

Wood Burning Stoves and Fireplaces

• Burn only dry, well-seasoned wood.
• Use artificial logs according to manufacturer's recommendations.
• Use only newspaper and kindling wood to start a fire. Never use flammable liquids, such as lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline to start a fire.
• Have a sturdy screen on a fireplace.
• Allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose ashes in a metal container and keep the ash container at a safe distance from the home and any other nearby buildings.