Freezing Temps Expected, Firefighters warn of Increased Risk of Home Heating Fires

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX - As temperatures plummet this week, residents will be firing up their home’s heating appliances, and many will look to alternative heating devices, such as space heaters and wood burning stoves to heat their home. Just this weekend, a home on Tanyard Rd east of Willis was heavily damaged by an attic fire sparked by a wood burning stove. Fortunately, the residents weren’t home and escaped injury but the home and most of its contents were lost to the fire.

Home heating fires often occur at the worst possible time, breaking out in the middle of the night while our
families are asleep. The number one safety recommendation is to first and foremost have working smoke detectors throughout the home, especially in all sleeping areas. Having a working smoke alarm dramatically
increases your chances of surviving a fire.

Operation “Get Alarmed Montgomery County” is a joint effort between the County Fire Departments and both
the City and County Fire Marshals, offering free smoke alarms funded by donations from the community.
Under the program, homeowners that need assistance can contact their local fire station and schedule a home
visit. Firefighters will come to their home and install new long life smoke alarms in every bedroom, sleeping
area, and adjoining hallway at no cost.

Under State Law, landlords are required to install smoke alarms in all rental homes, and then the tenants are
responsible for testing them and replacing batteries as needed. If you rent your home, mobile home, RV or
apartment and don’t have smoke alarms, notify your landlord in writing and request they be installed within 7
days as required by the Texas Property Code.

According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), heating equipment is a leading cause of
home fire deaths. Half of home heating fires are reported during the months of December, January, and
February. With proper precautions, many of these fires can be prevented. The Montgomery County Fire
Marshal offers the following tips for staying safe while keeping warm this winter.

- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, such as 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 a qualified professional clean and inspect heating equipment and chimneys every year.
- Remember to turn off portable heaters 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.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

Portable Space Heaters – “Give your Space Heater Space”
Although portable space heaters are involved in only about 1/3 of heating fires, they are the most deadly
type of home heating fires, responsible for approximately 3/4 of fatal home heating fires. Many of these
deaths occur when space heaters are left on while residents are asleep, or they are left too close to
something that can catch fire, such as bedding or upholstered furniture.

Fireplace and Wood Burning Stove Safety

Top 10 Wood burning Tips from the Chimney Safety Institute;

To aid in the prevention of chimney fires and carbon monoxide intrusion and to help keep heating
appliances and fireplaces functioning properly, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) offers the
following safety tips:

1. Get an annual chimney check. Have chimneys inspected annually, and cleaned as necessary, by a
qualified professional chimney service technician. This reduces the risk of fires and carbon monoxide
poisonings due to creosote buildup or obstructions in the chimneys.
2. Keep it clear. Keep tree branches and leaves at least 15 feet away from the top of the chimney.
3. Install a chimney cap to keep debris and animals out of the chimney.
4. Choose the right fuel. For burning firewood in wood stoves or fireplaces, choose well-seasoned wood
that has been split for a minimum of six months - one year and stored in a covered and elevated location.
Never burn Christmas trees or treated wood in your fireplace or wood stove.
5. Build it right. Place firewood or fire logs at the rear of the fireplace on a supporting grate. To start the
fire, use kindling or a commercial firelighter. Never use flammable liquids.
6. Keep the hearth area clear. Combustible material too close to the fireplace, or to a wood stove, could
easily catch fire. Keep furniture at least 36” away from the hearth.
7. Use a fireplace screen. Use metal mesh or a screen in front of the fireplace to catch flying sparks that
could ignite or burn holes in the carpet or flooring.
8. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Place detectors throughout the house and check batteries
in the spring and fall. When you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time, remember to check your
batteries.
9. Never leave a fire unattended. Before turning in for the evening, be sure that the fire is fully
extinguished. Supervise children and pets closely around wood stoves and fireplaces.
10. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that all chimneys are inspected on an annual
basis.

For more information or to download information about home heating safety, please go to
http://www.nfpa.org/~/media/files/public-education/resources/safety-tip-sheets/heating_safety.pdf?la=en

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