Home Heating Safety
In 2011, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 53,600 reported U.S. home structure fires, with associated losses of 400 civilian deaths, 1,520 civilian injuries, and $893 million in direct property damage. These fires accounted for 14% of all reported home fires. The estimated home heating fire total was down 6% from the previous year and 77% from 1980. Associated deaths were down 19% from 2010 and down 60% from 1980. Associated civilian injuries were down by less than 1% compared to 2010 but down 57% from 1980. Direct property damage adjusted for inflation was down 19% from 2010 and down 57% from 1980. "Homes" refers to one- and two-family homes (which include manufactured homes) and apartments (which include townhouses and other multi-family housing).
Overall in 2011, these incidents accounted for 14% of all reported home fires (second highest after cooking), 16% of home fire deaths (now third highest after smoking and cooking), 11% of home civilian injuries (second highest after cooking), and 13% of the direct property damage (one of several causes with similar shares) resulting from home fires. These statistics are estimates derived from Version 5.0 of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System and NFPA’s annual fire department experience survey.
Stationary (fixed) and portable space heaters, excluding fireplaces, chimneys, and chimney connectors, but including wood stoves, accounted for one-third (33%) of reported 2007-2011 U.S. home heating fires, four out of five (81%) associated civilian deaths, more than two-thirds (70%) of associated civilian injuries, and half (51%) of associated direct property damage.
FACTS Based on 2007-2011 annual averages:
* Space heaters, whether portable or stationary, accounted for one-third (33%) of home heating fires and four out of five (81%) of home heating fire deaths.
* The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (28%) was failure to clean, principally creosote from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
* Placing things that can burn too close to heating equipment or placing heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding, was the leading factor contributing to ignition in fatal home heating fires and accounted for more than half (53%) of home heating fire deaths.
* Half (50%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.
* Woodstoves & fireplaces cause over 5,000 residential fires nationwide every year.
SAFETY TIPS Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths. Half of home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February. Some simple steps can prevent most heating-related fires from happening.
* Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
* Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
* Never use your oven to heat your home.
* Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
* Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
* Make sure your space heater is approved by a testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual.
* Have your space heater serviced before each heating season, tip-over switches, safety pilot shut-off, and oxygen depletion sensors are in proper working order.
* NEVER refuel a liquid-fueled heater inside your house while it is hot. Give it sufficient time to cool down and take it outside to refuel.
* Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
* Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
* Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
* Use only seasoned wood for fuel, not green wood or trash materials. Have your chimney inspected before use.
* Test smoke alarms monthly.
Overall in 2011, these incidents accounted for 14% of all reported home fires (second highest after cooking), 16% of home fire deaths (now third highest after smoking and cooking), 11% of home civilian injuries (second highest after cooking), and 13% of the direct property damage (one of several causes with similar shares) resulting from home fires. These statistics are estimates derived from Version 5.0 of the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System and NFPA’s annual fire department experience survey.
Stationary (fixed) and portable space heaters, excluding fireplaces, chimneys, and chimney connectors, but including wood stoves, accounted for one-third (33%) of reported 2007-2011 U.S. home heating fires, four out of five (81%) associated civilian deaths, more than two-thirds (70%) of associated civilian injuries, and half (51%) of associated direct property damage.
FACTS Based on 2007-2011 annual averages:
* Space heaters, whether portable or stationary, accounted for one-third (33%) of home heating fires and four out of five (81%) of home heating fire deaths.
* The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (28%) was failure to clean, principally creosote from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
* Placing things that can burn too close to heating equipment or placing heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding, was the leading factor contributing to ignition in fatal home heating fires and accounted for more than half (53%) of home heating fire deaths.
* Half (50%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.
* Woodstoves & fireplaces cause over 5,000 residential fires nationwide every year.
SAFETY TIPS Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths. Half of home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February. Some simple steps can prevent most heating-related fires from happening.
* Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
* Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
* Never use your oven to heat your home.
* Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
* Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
* Make sure your space heater is approved by a testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual.
* Have your space heater serviced before each heating season, tip-over switches, safety pilot shut-off, and oxygen depletion sensors are in proper working order.
* NEVER refuel a liquid-fueled heater inside your house while it is hot. Give it sufficient time to cool down and take it outside to refuel.
* Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
* Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
* Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
* Use only seasoned wood for fuel, not green wood or trash materials. Have your chimney inspected before use.
* Test smoke alarms monthly.
