City of Stillwater NEWS | For Immediate Release

From the Stillwater Fire Department: Winter heating, winter weather safety tips

(STILLWATER, OKLA / Jan. 26, 2012) – Most Stillwater area residents have heating costs on their minds.Whether primarily heating their homes with gas or electricity, local families are always mindful of energy costs during the winter months. While the projected rise in heating costs this winter could be devastating for many wallets, increased use of alternative heating equipment – like pellet stoves, wood stoves and space heaters – could have an even more devastating effect on the already serious home heating fire problem.

As a leading cause of home fires, heating is a concern for every community every winter. This year, with the projected increase in use of alternative heating equipment, families need to be especially vigilant to use all heating appliances properly.

Alternative heating sources are not inherently a greater fire risk; with caution they can be used safely. That’s why Stillwater Fire Department is encouraging residents using pellet stoves, wood stoves, space heaters or any other non-traditional home heating equipment this winter to follow this advice:

Portable electric space heaters

• Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
• Use and purchase portable space heaters with an auto shut off so if they’re tipped over they will shut off.
• Place space heater on solid, flat surface at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn.

Fuel-burning space heaters

• Always use the proper fuel as specified by the manufacturer.
• When refueling, allow the appliance to cool and refuel outside or in a well-ventilated area.
• If the pilot light of your gas heater goes out, allow 5 minutes or more for the gas to go away before trying again, do not allow gas to accumulate, and light the match before you turn on the gas to the pilot to avoid risk of flashback.

Wood and pellet-burning stoves

• Wood stoves should bear the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• In wood stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets.
• Keep the doors of your wood stove closed unless loading or stoking the live fire.

Accroding to Fire Marshal Trent Hawkins, "At best, not heeding this advice could result in superficial property damage. At worst, you could lose loved ones who may be unable to escape the rapid course of a preventable fire, as well as the comfort and safety you’ve always felt in your home. And, please install a carbon monoxide alarm in your home to protect your family from this silent killer. Please join Stillwater Fire Department in ensuring that our community is safe from heating fires this winter."

Fire Marshal Hawkins has also provided some useful winter weather safety reminders:

Carbon Monoxide Safety

• CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
• If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if the garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
• During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up
• Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO- only use outside.

Candle Safety

• Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.
• Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.
• Have flashlights and battery-powered lighting ready to use during a power outage. Never use candles.

Generator Safety

• Generators should be used in well ventilated locations outside away from all door, windows, and vent openings so that exhaust fumes can’t enter the home.
• Never use a generator in an attached garage even with the door open.
• Make sure when using a generator that you have a CO detector installed in your home.
• Turn off generators and let them cool down before refueling.

Heating Safety

• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Never use your stove to heat your home.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Always use the right kind of fuel 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 placing them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance from your home.

Smoke Alarm

• Test your smoke alarms prior to a significant weather event.

Contact: Sherry Fletcher, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Phone: 405.742.8362
E-mail: sfletcher@stillwater.org
Web: stillwater.org