Sources of Fire
How Safe Is Your Home?
The following was taken from the Home Fire Safety Checklist. The checklist was
developed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an independent
regulatory agency of the U.S. Government.
SOURCES OF FIRE
Supplemental Home Heating Equipment
The use of supplemental room heaters, such as wood and coal burning stoves, kerosene
heaters, gas space heaters and electrical heaters, has decreased, along with the number
of residential fires.
Even though there has been a decrease in fires associated with supplemental heaters, it
is important to remember that about 120,000 residential fires still occur annually with the
use of these heaters, or about 22 percent of all residential fires. These fires kill more
than 600 people. Annually there are thousands of contact burn injuries and hundreds of
carbon monoxide poisonings.
Wood Stoves
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety statements.
1. The wood stove or fireplace has been
installed according to existing building
codes and manufacturer's instructions.
2. The chimney and stovepipe are checked
frequently during the heating season
for creosote buildup and are cleaned
when necessary.
3. The stove sits on a non-combustible or on
a code-specified or listed floor protector.
4. Combustibles such as curtains, chairs,
firewood, etc., are at least three feet
away from the stove.
5. Only proper fuel is used in the stove.
6. A metal container with a tight-fitting lid
is used for ash removal.
Recommendations:
• Do not use wood burning stoves and fireplaces unless they are properly installed
and meet building codes.
• Follow the label instructions on the stove which recommends an inspection twice
monthly. Have chimneys inspected and cleaned by a professional chimney sweep.
Creosote is an unavoidable product of wood burning stoves. Creosote builds up in
chimney flues and can cause a chimney fire. To cut down on creosote buildup, avoid
smoldering fires.
• Use a code-specified or listed floor protector. It should extend 18 inches beyond
the stove on all sides. This will reduce the possibility of the floor being ignited.
• Follow the instructions on the stove label for proper location of the stove from
combustible walls.
• Never burn trash in a stove because this could over heat the stove. Gasoline and
other flammable liquids should never be used to start wood stove fires. Gasoline will
ignite and explode. Use coal only if designated as appropriate by the manufacturer.
Kerosene Heaters
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety statements.
1. Only 1-K kerosene is used and it is
bought from a dealer who can certify
that the product is 1-K kerosene.
2. The heater is placed out of the path
of traffic areas such as doorways and
hallways.
3. Kerosene is stored outdoors, and out
of the reach of children in a tightly
sealed, preferably blue plastic or
metal container, labeled "kerosene."
4. No attempt is to be made to move the
heater if flare-up (flames outside the
heater cabinet) occurs. The fire
department is called immediately.
5. The heater is used in well-ventilated
rooms.
6. The heater is turned off while sleeping
and is never left operating unattended.
7. The heater is placed at least three feet
away from anything that might catch fire
such as clothing, furniture, curtains,
etc.
Recommendations:
• Check with your local fire marshal regarding local and state codes and regulations
for using a kerosene heater.
• NEVER USE GASOLINE. Even small amounts of gasoline mixed with kerosene can
increase the risk of fire.
• Use properly labeled containers. It reduces the likelihood of mistaking gasoline for
kerosene.
• Place heater so it will not be knocked over or trap you in case of fire.
• Use 1-K kerosene because grades other than 1-K contain much more sulfur and
will increase sulfur dioxide emissions, posing a possible health problem. If you buy
kerosene from a gasoline station make sure you and/or the attendant are using the
kerosene pump, not the gasoline pump.
• Never fill the heater while it is operating. Always refuel the heater outdoors to
prevent spillage on floors and rugs which could later result in fire ignition.
• Keep the room in which the heater operates ventilated (e.g. door open or the
window ajar). This will prevent an indoor air pollution problem and minimize health
problems. Kerosene heaters are not usually vented.
• Keep flammable liquids and fabrics away from an open flame.
• Never try to move the heater or try to smother the flames with a rug or a blanket if a
flare up occurs. Activate the manual shut-off switch and call the fire department. Moving
the heater may increase the height of the flames and cause leakage resulting in personal
injury.
Gas-Fired Space Heaters
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety statements.
1. Only vented heaters are installed or
used in sleeping quarters.
2. Vented heaters are properly vented to the
outside.
3. The unvented gas-fired room heater has a
warning label and instructions that are
followed.
4. The unvented gas-fired room heater has a
label stating it has a "pilot safety
system" which turns off the gas if not
enough fresh air is available.
5. The vented heater has a label stating that
it is equipped with a vent safety shutoff
system.
6. If the heater uses liquified petroleum
(LP) gas, the container is located outside
the house.
7. The manufacturer's instructions for lighting the pilot are followed.
8. Matches are lighted before turning on the
gas if pilot lighting is required.
9. Flammable materials and liquids are kept
away from gas heating appliances.
Recommendations
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding where and how to use gas space
heaters. Unvented heaters should not be used in small enclosed areas, especially
bedrooms because of the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Do not use a propane heater (LP) which has a gas cylinder stored in the body of
the heater. Its use is prohibited in most states and localities in the United States.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for lighting the pilot. Gas vapors may
accumulate and ignite explosively, burning your hand or face.
• Light matches, if needed for lighting, the pilot, before turning on the gas to prevent
gas buildup.
• Do not operate a vented style heater unvented. It could allow combustion products,
including carbon monoxide, to reach dangerous levels which will result in illness and
death.
Portable Electric Heaters
• The Commission estimates that half the deaths and one-third of the injuries
resulting from electric heater fires occurred at night when family members are asleep and
the heater unattended. The Commission is also concerned about the use of power or
extension cords which can be too small to supply the amount of current required by the
typical portable electric heater.
• You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety statements.
1. The heater is operated at least three
feet away from upholstered furniture,
drapes, bedding and other combustible
materials.
2. The extension cord (if used) is marked #14
or #12 American Wire Gauge (AWG).
3. The heater is used on the floor.
4. The heater is turned off when family members
leave the house or are sleeping.
Recommendations:
• Operate heater away from combustible materials. Do not place heaters where
towels or the like could fall on the appliance and trigger a fire.
• Avoid using extension cords unless absolutely necessary. If you must use an
extension cord with your electric heater, make sure it is marked with a power rating at
least as high as that of the heater itself. Keep the cord stretched out. Do not permit the
cord to become buried under carpeting or rugs. Do not place anything on top of the cord.
• Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture or the like. Never use heaters to
dry wearing apparel or shoes.
Cooking Equipment
Cooking equipment is estimated to be associated with more than 100,000 fires annually,
and almost 400 deaths, and 5,000 injuries. Gas cooking equipment accounts for about
30,000 fires, and electric cooking equipment for about 55,000 fires.
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety statements.
1. The storage area above the stove is free of
flammable and combustible items.
2. Short or tight fitting sleeves, and tight
fitting shirts, robes, gowns, etc., are worn
while cooking.
3. Items that could attract children (e.g.
cookies and candy) are not kept above the
range and are kept out of the immediate
area.
4. The stove is not left unattended when cooking especially when the burner is turned to
a high setting.
Recommendations:
• Never place or store pot holders, plastic utensils, towels and other non-cooking
equipment on or near the range because these items can be ignited.
• Roll up or fasten long loose sleeves with pins or elastic bands while cooking. Do not
reach across a range while cooking. Long loose sleeves are more likely to catch on fire
than are short sleeves. Long loose sleeves are also more apt to catch on pot handles,
overturning pots and pans and cause scalds.
• Do not place candy or cookies over top of ranges. This will reduce the attraction
kids may have for climbing on cooking equipment, thus reducing the possibility of their
clothing catching fire.
• Keep constant vigilance on any cooking that is required above the "keep warm"
setting.
Cigarette Lighters and Matches
Each year more than 200 deaths are associated with fires started by cigarette lighters.
About two thirds of these result from children playing with lighters. Most of the victims are
under five years old.
You should be able to answer "yes" to the safety statements below.
1. Cigarette lighters and matches are kept
out of the reach of children.
2. Cigarette lighters are never used to
entertain a child.
Recommendations:
• Keep lighters and matches out of sight and out of the reach of children. Children as
young as two years old are capable of lighting cigarette lighters and matches.
• Never encourage or allow a child to play with a lighter or to think of it as a toy. Do
not use it as a source of amusement for a child. Once their curiosity is aroused, children
may seek out a lighter and try to light it.
• Always check to see that cigarettes are extinguished before emptying ashtrays.
Stubs that are still burning can ignite trash.
The following was taken from the Home Fire Safety Checklist. The checklist was
developed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an independent
regulatory agency of the U.S. Government.
SOURCES OF FIRE
Supplemental Home Heating Equipment
The use of supplemental room heaters, such as wood and coal burning stoves, kerosene
heaters, gas space heaters and electrical heaters, has decreased, along with the number
of residential fires.
Even though there has been a decrease in fires associated with supplemental heaters, it
is important to remember that about 120,000 residential fires still occur annually with the
use of these heaters, or about 22 percent of all residential fires. These fires kill more
than 600 people. Annually there are thousands of contact burn injuries and hundreds of
carbon monoxide poisonings.
Wood Stoves
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety statements.
1. The wood stove or fireplace has been
installed according to existing building
codes and manufacturer's instructions.
2. The chimney and stovepipe are checked
frequently during the heating season
for creosote buildup and are cleaned
when necessary.
3. The stove sits on a non-combustible or on
a code-specified or listed floor protector.
4. Combustibles such as curtains, chairs,
firewood, etc., are at least three feet
away from the stove.
5. Only proper fuel is used in the stove.
6. A metal container with a tight-fitting lid
is used for ash removal.
Recommendations:
• Do not use wood burning stoves and fireplaces unless they are properly installed
and meet building codes.
• Follow the label instructions on the stove which recommends an inspection twice
monthly. Have chimneys inspected and cleaned by a professional chimney sweep.
Creosote is an unavoidable product of wood burning stoves. Creosote builds up in
chimney flues and can cause a chimney fire. To cut down on creosote buildup, avoid
smoldering fires.
• Use a code-specified or listed floor protector. It should extend 18 inches beyond
the stove on all sides. This will reduce the possibility of the floor being ignited.
• Follow the instructions on the stove label for proper location of the stove from
combustible walls.
• Never burn trash in a stove because this could over heat the stove. Gasoline and
other flammable liquids should never be used to start wood stove fires. Gasoline will
ignite and explode. Use coal only if designated as appropriate by the manufacturer.
Kerosene Heaters
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety statements.
1. Only 1-K kerosene is used and it is
bought from a dealer who can certify
that the product is 1-K kerosene.
2. The heater is placed out of the path
of traffic areas such as doorways and
hallways.
3. Kerosene is stored outdoors, and out
of the reach of children in a tightly
sealed, preferably blue plastic or
metal container, labeled "kerosene."
4. No attempt is to be made to move the
heater if flare-up (flames outside the
heater cabinet) occurs. The fire
department is called immediately.
5. The heater is used in well-ventilated
rooms.
6. The heater is turned off while sleeping
and is never left operating unattended.
7. The heater is placed at least three feet
away from anything that might catch fire
such as clothing, furniture, curtains,
etc.
Recommendations:
• Check with your local fire marshal regarding local and state codes and regulations
for using a kerosene heater.
• NEVER USE GASOLINE. Even small amounts of gasoline mixed with kerosene can
increase the risk of fire.
• Use properly labeled containers. It reduces the likelihood of mistaking gasoline for
kerosene.
• Place heater so it will not be knocked over or trap you in case of fire.
• Use 1-K kerosene because grades other than 1-K contain much more sulfur and
will increase sulfur dioxide emissions, posing a possible health problem. If you buy
kerosene from a gasoline station make sure you and/or the attendant are using the
kerosene pump, not the gasoline pump.
• Never fill the heater while it is operating. Always refuel the heater outdoors to
prevent spillage on floors and rugs which could later result in fire ignition.
• Keep the room in which the heater operates ventilated (e.g. door open or the
window ajar). This will prevent an indoor air pollution problem and minimize health
problems. Kerosene heaters are not usually vented.
• Keep flammable liquids and fabrics away from an open flame.
• Never try to move the heater or try to smother the flames with a rug or a blanket if a
flare up occurs. Activate the manual shut-off switch and call the fire department. Moving
the heater may increase the height of the flames and cause leakage resulting in personal
injury.
Gas-Fired Space Heaters
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety statements.
1. Only vented heaters are installed or
used in sleeping quarters.
2. Vented heaters are properly vented to the
outside.
3. The unvented gas-fired room heater has a
warning label and instructions that are
followed.
4. The unvented gas-fired room heater has a
label stating it has a "pilot safety
system" which turns off the gas if not
enough fresh air is available.
5. The vented heater has a label stating that
it is equipped with a vent safety shutoff
system.
6. If the heater uses liquified petroleum
(LP) gas, the container is located outside
the house.
7. The manufacturer's instructions for lighting the pilot are followed.
8. Matches are lighted before turning on the
gas if pilot lighting is required.
9. Flammable materials and liquids are kept
away from gas heating appliances.
Recommendations
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding where and how to use gas space
heaters. Unvented heaters should not be used in small enclosed areas, especially
bedrooms because of the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Do not use a propane heater (LP) which has a gas cylinder stored in the body of
the heater. Its use is prohibited in most states and localities in the United States.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for lighting the pilot. Gas vapors may
accumulate and ignite explosively, burning your hand or face.
• Light matches, if needed for lighting, the pilot, before turning on the gas to prevent
gas buildup.
• Do not operate a vented style heater unvented. It could allow combustion products,
including carbon monoxide, to reach dangerous levels which will result in illness and
death.
Portable Electric Heaters
• The Commission estimates that half the deaths and one-third of the injuries
resulting from electric heater fires occurred at night when family members are asleep and
the heater unattended. The Commission is also concerned about the use of power or
extension cords which can be too small to supply the amount of current required by the
typical portable electric heater.
• You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety statements.
1. The heater is operated at least three
feet away from upholstered furniture,
drapes, bedding and other combustible
materials.
2. The extension cord (if used) is marked #14
or #12 American Wire Gauge (AWG).
3. The heater is used on the floor.
4. The heater is turned off when family members
leave the house or are sleeping.
Recommendations:
• Operate heater away from combustible materials. Do not place heaters where
towels or the like could fall on the appliance and trigger a fire.
• Avoid using extension cords unless absolutely necessary. If you must use an
extension cord with your electric heater, make sure it is marked with a power rating at
least as high as that of the heater itself. Keep the cord stretched out. Do not permit the
cord to become buried under carpeting or rugs. Do not place anything on top of the cord.
• Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture or the like. Never use heaters to
dry wearing apparel or shoes.
Cooking Equipment
Cooking equipment is estimated to be associated with more than 100,000 fires annually,
and almost 400 deaths, and 5,000 injuries. Gas cooking equipment accounts for about
30,000 fires, and electric cooking equipment for about 55,000 fires.
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety statements.
1. The storage area above the stove is free of
flammable and combustible items.
2. Short or tight fitting sleeves, and tight
fitting shirts, robes, gowns, etc., are worn
while cooking.
3. Items that could attract children (e.g.
cookies and candy) are not kept above the
range and are kept out of the immediate
area.
4. The stove is not left unattended when cooking especially when the burner is turned to
a high setting.
Recommendations:
• Never place or store pot holders, plastic utensils, towels and other non-cooking
equipment on or near the range because these items can be ignited.
• Roll up or fasten long loose sleeves with pins or elastic bands while cooking. Do not
reach across a range while cooking. Long loose sleeves are more likely to catch on fire
than are short sleeves. Long loose sleeves are also more apt to catch on pot handles,
overturning pots and pans and cause scalds.
• Do not place candy or cookies over top of ranges. This will reduce the attraction
kids may have for climbing on cooking equipment, thus reducing the possibility of their
clothing catching fire.
• Keep constant vigilance on any cooking that is required above the "keep warm"
setting.
Cigarette Lighters and Matches
Each year more than 200 deaths are associated with fires started by cigarette lighters.
About two thirds of these result from children playing with lighters. Most of the victims are
under five years old.
You should be able to answer "yes" to the safety statements below.
1. Cigarette lighters and matches are kept
out of the reach of children.
2. Cigarette lighters are never used to
entertain a child.
Recommendations:
• Keep lighters and matches out of sight and out of the reach of children. Children as
young as two years old are capable of lighting cigarette lighters and matches.
• Never encourage or allow a child to play with a lighter or to think of it as a toy. Do
not use it as a source of amusement for a child. Once their curiosity is aroused, children
may seek out a lighter and try to light it.
• Always check to see that cigarettes are extinguished before emptying ashtrays.
Stubs that are still burning can ignite trash.