Time to prepare for winter, Illinois. How to safely operate fireplaces, space heaters
As metro-east and St. Louis area residents prepare for a possible cold front along with potential showers and storms, those with fireplaces or space heaters may want to brush up on safety tips.
The National Weather Service St. Louis said cold, potentially wet weather could move in as soon as Tuesday evening around southwest Illinois.
Winter can be a a time for increased house fire risks, according to travel company AAA, and taking proper safety precautions can mitigate dangers.
A cold front will bring the chance for scattered showers and storms to portions of the area Tuesday evening into the early overnight hours. A storm or two may become strong to severe over SE MO and SW IL and produce damaging wind gusts. #stlwx #mowx #ilwx pic.twitter.com/B3lkuiC2NJ
— NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) November 28, 2022
Fireplace safety
The Chimney Safety Institute of American advises yearly chimney and vent inspections, ideally before winter begins.
“Half of home heating fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February,” the National Fire Protection Association says.
After having your chimney and vent inspection, there are several best practices to further mitigate risks.
“Before starting a fire in your fireplace, especially the first one of the season, take a peek up the chimney to check for any blockages like debris from trees or animal nests,” AAA’s website advises. “Check that the damper or flue is open, and clean out any ashes from previous fires. Also, consider keeping a window cracked to allow for even more ventilation.”
Using dry wood for your fire can produce less smoke compared to damp or green wood. AAA’s website also says it’s important to keep the area near your fireplace clear of anything flammable and to consider using a safety gate if you have children or pets.
“Finally, never leave a fire unattended and double-check that it’s completely snuffed out when you’re done,” the AAA website says.
It’s also vital to install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal says.
Space heater safety
Space heaters are the type of equipment most often involved in home heating equipment fires, accounting for 44%, as well as the vast majority of deaths and injuries in home fires caused by heating equipment, the National Fire Protection Association says.
You shouldn’t use a space heater that has a cracked, frayed or broken cord, AAA says, and you should always plug your heater directly into a wall outlet. An extension cord or power strip can be a fire hazard.
Here are three more tips on space heater safety, from AAA:
Place your space heater on a flat surface in a safe location. Avoid keeping them in high-traffic areas, such as hallways and doorways.
Heaters should be kept at least 3 feet away from anything flammable, including papers, clothing and rugs.
Don’t leave your space heater unattended and always unplug the device when you are not using it.
