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Officials say as temperatures decrease, fire dangers increase

By Tami Althoff
The Oklahoman
Copyright 2006 The Oklahoman, All Rights Reserved

NORMAN, Okla. — As the weather gets colder, Norman fire officials want to remind residents to be careful when taking steps to heat their homes.

According to a new report by the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 53,000 reported home structure fires in 2003. The study includes fires associated with chimneys and chimney connectors, space heaters, central heating, fireplaces, water heaters and heat tape.

These types of fires were responsible for an estimated 260 deaths, 1,300 injuries and $500 million in direct property damage, the report states.

Although space heaters were responsible for 26 percent of home heating fires in 2003, they were the most deadly, accounting for 73 percent of the fire deaths related to home heating.

“Things have been good in Norman this year,” Norman Fire Chief James Fullingim. “We haven’t had many problems, but we just want to remind people to be careful.”

According to the report, space heaters present a greater fire risk than central heating systems because they tend to be closer to household combustibles and the people living in the home. They also tend to require a more direct role by residents in fueling, maintenance and operation.

The Norman Fire Department suggests the following recommendations for safe heating:

Maintain a 3-foot separation between things that can burn and heating equipment.

When buying a new space heater, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory.

Install stationary space heaters according to manufacturer’s instructions or applicable codes, or have it installed by a professional.

Plug electric-powered space heaters into an outlet with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.

Use the proper grade of fuel for your liquid-fueled space heater and never use gasoline in any heater not approved for gasoline use. Refuel only in a well-ventilated area and when the equipment is cool.

Use only dry or seasoned wood in fireplaces and wood stoves to avoid the build up of creosote, an oily deposit that easily catches fire and accounts for most chimney fires. Use only paper or kindling wood to start the fire, and do not use artificial logs in wood stoves.

Make sure fireplaces have a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room.

Turn off space heaters whenever the room is unoccupied.

Do not use an oven to heat a home.

Make sure fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside, that the venting is kept clear and unobstructed and that the exit point is properly sealed around the vent. Test smoke alarms monthly and install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.