Home heating 

No alternative for safety when using alternative heating

With heating costs rising each winter, the prospect of using alternative heating sources - woodstoves, space heaters and fireplaces - is more tempting than ever.

But alternative heating may carry some additional safety risks. Of the 45,500 home heating fires reported to the nation's fire departments in 2002, 68 percent involved fireplaces, space heaters and chimneys, according to the latest figures available from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Of the 220 fatalities associated with home heating fires - 85 percent were associated with alternative heating sources. The 85 percent breaks down to include 46 percent for portable space heaters, 28 percent for woodstoves and other fixed space heaters, and 11 percent for fireplaces and chimneys.

"Alternative heating can save money, but be sure the savings don't translate into a fire in your home," warned John Drengenberg, Consumer Affairs Manager for UL, the independent product safety testing and certification organization. "Many of us too often focus on cutting expenses while overlooking basic safety steps that could prevent a tragedy and the emotional costs associated."

To help reduce the injuries and property damage that occur every year from alternative heating, a few simple safety precautions should be followed.

"Cooking stoves, gas ovens and grills should never be used for heating a room or home," Drengenberg said. "That's not what they were designed for and there are too many other options out there that are safer."

A popular alternative is space heaters - but before using one be sure to keep it away from combustibles such as draperies, clothing and furniture.

Other heating alternatives have a different set of safety considerations.

Fireplace and chimney fires are mostly caused by a buildup of flammable creosote, the product of wood smoke and moisture. To prevent this, wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys and chimney connectors should be inspected annually by a professional and cleaned as often as inspections suggest. It's also important to burn properly seasoned wood.

Wood that is green has more moisture and is likely to smolder, leading to more creosote buildup and a greater risk of fire. Finally, it is essential that your fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room, and allow fireplace and wood ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container.

Like chimneys, furnaces should be inspected and serviced once a year. Homeowners, however, can change or clean the furnace filter themselves. Combustible materials, such as paint thinners, gasoline or kerosene, should never be used nor stored near the furnace.

Most importantly, the best defense is a good offense. Install smoke alarms to warn of a fire and have carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in the home to warn about faulty furnace, fireplace and oven flues or other venting problems and inadequacies. Its also important to consider installing interconnected smoke alarms, which would help alert occupants on all levels of a residence, regardless of where the fire starts.

Check existing alarms to ensure they are in working order. Replace the batteries once a year.

"Between the cold and the cost of heating, there will be enough discomfort this winter," Drengenberg said. "You needn't add to the suffering with a preventable home fire."

Related material

• Audio (mp3): Overview and statistics
• Audio (mp3): Safety tips