- Fireplaces
- Have your chimney inspected by a
professional prior to the start of
every heating season and cleaned if
necessary. Creosote, a chemical
substance that forms when wood burns,
builds up in chimneys and can cause a
chimney fire if not removed through
cleaning. Always protect your home and
your family by using a sturdy
fireplace screen when burning fires.
Remember to burn only wood - never
burn paper or pine boughs, which can
float out the chimney and ignite your
roof or a neighboring home. Do not use
flammable liquids in a fireplace. If
you are purchasing a factory-built
fireplace, select one listed by a
testing laboratory, and have it
installed according to local codes. If
you decorate your fireplace with
Christmas stockings or other seasonal
decorations, don't burn fires in it.
- Wood Stoves
- Be sure your wood stove
bears the mark of an independent
testing laboratory and meets local
fire codes. Follow the manufacturer's
recommendations for proper
installation, use and maintenance.
Chimney connections and chimney flues
should be inspected at the beginning
of each heating season and cleaned
when necessary. Follow the same safety
rules for wood stoves as you would for
space heaters. Burn only wood, and be
sure the wood stove is placed on an
approved stove board to protect the
floor from heat and hot coals.
You Must Obtain a
permit to install a woodstove or
fireplace, from the Township of West
Milford Building Department.
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As the winter season approaches and
you "turn on the heat" the Fire Marshal
would like to remind you that according to the NFPA's
(National Fire Prevention Association)
latest report on U.S. home heating fire patterns, heating equipment
fires are the third leading causes of fire deaths in American homes and
the biggest fire culprit, December through January. An estimated 59,700
home heating fires occurred in 1999, killing 406 people and injuring
1,350. The experts at NFPA say that most U.S. home fires caused by
heating equipment could be prevented by taking simple safety
precautions.
Home heating fire problems in America are largely
those of human error, particularly with the misuse of
portable heaters, fireplaces and woodstoves. Critical
elements of home heating safety have to do with
correct installation, maintenance, fueling and
operation of portable and space heaters, as well as
safely arranging household items around them.
According to NFPA's report, the major causes of U.S.
home heating fires are:
- lack of regular cleaning of chimneys in
fireplaces and woodstoves;
- placing things that can burn too close to space
and portable heaters;
- flaws in design, installation or use;
- fueling errors involving liquid- or gas-fueled
heaters; and
- leaving portable or space heaters unattended.
****
Portable LP Gas (Propane) Heaters
with self-contained fuel supplies
(cabinet heaters) are prohibited for
home use by NFPA fire safety standards.
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Last
updated: Saturday, December 13, 2003 12:27 AM
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- Portable and Other Space Heaters
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Portable and space heaters can be either
electric-powered or fueled by gas, liquid fuel (usually
kerosene), or solid fuel (usually wood). All types must
be kept at least 36 inches (1 meter) from anything that
can burn, including furniture, bedding, clothing, pets
and people. Space heaters must not be left operating
when you are not in the room or when you go to sleep.
Children and pets should be supervised at all times when
space heaters are in use. Ensure everyone is aware of
the high fire hazard associated with drying clothing or
placing combustibles over heaters. If you have an
electric space heater, check each season for fraying or
splitting wires or overheating. Have all problems
repaired by a professional before operating the space
heater.
- Portable Kerosene Heaters -
If you have a liquid-fueled space heater, use only the
fuel recommended by the manufacturer. Never use
gasoline or any other substitute fuel, because the
wrong fuel could burn hotter than the equipment's
design limits and cause a serious fire. When
refueling, always turn off the heater and let it cool
down completely before adding fuel. Wipe up any spills
promptly. Kerosene heaters are illegal to use in the
Township of West Milford as a primary heat
source. Store the kerosene away from heat or open
flame in a container approved by the local fire
department, and be sure it is clearly marked with the
fuel name.
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