Home heating fires can be avoided by taking precaution

Home fires often occur during the winter months due to dangerous heating equipment or unsafe practices. Here are some important safety tips from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to help keep your home safe and warm this winter:

•Never use flammable liquids or excessive amounts of paper to start or accelerate a fire.

•Charcoal gives off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide. Do not burn it indoors.

•Never attempt to heat a structure with a device that was designed for outdoor use, such as a camp stove.

The use of kerosene heaters inside the home is prohibited in California (Sec. 19881, Health and Safety Code).

•Keep children away from heat sources.

•Never leave a fire unattended.

•Keep flammables away from heat sources.

Wood stoves require a 36inch clearance from combustible surfaces.

•Have a professional inspect and clean your chimney, stovepipe and/or furnace annually. Do not attempt repairs yourself.

•Keep a metal or glass screen in front of the fireplace opening.

•Make sure the damper is open before lighting.

•Wood stoves should be ULapproved.

•Check furnace control and emergency shut-offs to be sure they are working properly.