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How to keep warm and safe with heaters
Brrr...The winter months may really be bone-chilling. Many homeowners have found wood
stoves and portable electric heaters offer a convenient, less expensive and more efficient
way to break the chill. But, without taking the proper precautions, supplemental heating
sources can be very dangerous. Here are some safety tips for wood-burning stoves.
- Place the stove on a fireproof base so sparks cannot land on a flammable floor surface.
Protect the wall behind the stove with a fire-resistant surface, such as fireproof
millboard or a sheet of metal.
- Don’t use flammable liquids to start a fire in a wood stove.
- Use a metal scoop or shovel to remove ashes from a wood stove, and store warm ashes in a
metal container before disposing of them.
Portable electric heaters, though they don’t have an open flame, can also be just
as dangerous—they cause 3,000 residential fires each year. Just remember to follow
these simple safety tips:
- Keep all protective grills and grates in place.
- Move the heater away from all flammable materials.
- Make sure the equipment is stable and placed where it won’t be tipped over.
- Don’t place the heater where children will play near it or where people may bump
it.
- If possible, don’t use an extension cord.
When purchasing any new supplemental heater, make sure it is commercially approved by
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another reputable testing lab.
Ask your independent insurance agent for more safety tips on portable heaters, wood
stoves and other supplemental household heaters.
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