FIRE PREVENTION TIPS

This portion of our website is dedicated to families who have been through a tragic loss caused by fire. Every year, thousands of families lose homes, businesses, personal property and sometimes, their lives, due to fire. In many cases, inattention to the little things that we take for granted, concerning fire prevention, could have saved these families from a lifetime of heartache.

This "TIPS" page has been created to discuss the 'little things' that families and business owners can use to reduce the risk of fire or non-fire related dangers, that can be encountered in your home or business. Each 'section' provides a glimpse into some of the things we, as firefighters and medical personnel, see frequently during emergency incidents. We hope that the information provided on this page will help to keep your families and your businesses safe from the dangers of fire and non-fire related emergencies.

COLD WEATHER SEASON

FIRE PREVENTION TIPS

  When cold weather arrives, we sometimes forget the little things that keep us safe from the hazards of fire. Windows are closed tightly to keep the chill out while we use our furnaces, woodstoves, fireplaces and other heat sources to warm our homes and businesses. Holiday lights are hung and Christmas trees are decorated in preparation for a visit from Santa.

  These are just some of the things we do during the winter season that could put our lives and properties at risk for a winter tragedy. We must all be vigilant to protect ourselves and our families safe from fires and burns. There are so many things that can and do go wrong during this time of year. This ‘Fire Prevention Tips’ page provides useful information that may help you, your family and even local businesses, with reminders of some potential risks associated with the heating of our homes and businesses and the use of electrical and open-flame items used to celebrate the holiday season.

Operation of Heating Sources

  We all use some type of heating source during cold weather to keep our homes and businesses warm. They include furnaces (oil or coal), heat pumps, open-flame fireplaces, wood stoves or pellet stoves, electric fireplaces, gas (LP or NG) fireplaces, electric heaters and kerosene heaters. All of these heat sources have the potential to start a fire. These heat sources can operate safely if used properly and maintained frequently. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on commercially produced heat sources. These instructions have been written by professionals who have tested the product to insure safe operation. Below are some things that you can do to maintain your heat source to reduce the risk of fire.

Furnaces– These heat sources are located in nearly every home and business. They can operate by using either fuel oil or coal. The furnace uses the fuel to produce a flame inside of a controlled ‘firebox’. The heat produced can be transmitted by several different ways, including “Forced Air”, “Baseboard” or “Radiators”. The furnace should be cleaned and maintained annually to insure the unit is operating properly. We respond annually to overloaded furnace calls, where improper maintenance has caused an overload of fuel in the system and when the fuel is ignited, a small explosion occurs that many times causes smoke to fill the home or business. All furnaces have a chimney as well. These should also be cleaned annually to reduce the risk of a chimney fire and to allow the furnace to operate properly.

Heat Pumps– Though this type of unit does not use a flame to produce heat, annual maintenance should be done to insure its proper operation. The outside unit should be kept clean and free of obstructions. Units that are not operating properly, sometimes lead to the home owner’s decision to use alternate heating devices that also have there own potential problems

Open-flame Fireplaces– Fireplaces have existed in homes longer than any other type of heating source. Today, though they are sometimes used as an alternative heating source, they are generally used for ambience. There are many hazards associated with fireplaces. For one, the flames are open to the living area. It is not unusual to have combustible items on the mantle, on the hearth or hanging over the fireplace. Insure that combustibles are well away from the open flame. Remember that heat rises and the radiant heat produced by the open flame, can set other combustible items on fire over a period of time. It is also important to open the ‘damper’ to the chimney before lighting the fire. Failure to do this will result in filling your home with smoke. It is also recommended that you DO NOT use ‘green’ wood. The term ‘green’ wood refers to the dryness of the wood. Wood that has not had enough time to ‘dry out’ before burning, will cause a much quicker build-up of creosote in your chimney. The build-up of creosote in chimneys is the cause of most chimney fires. Fresh cut wood should be dried out for at least a year before being burned.

Wood Stoves or Pellet Stoves– Many home owners use wood stoves or pellet stoves as a supplement or replacement to a furnace. Wood stoves and pellet stoves are very efficient at heating a home by using wood or grain as a fuel. As the fuel burns, radiant heat is produced to warm the living space. Efficient units use ‘heatilators’ to collect the radiant heat in open air chambers and a small fan forces the warm air into the living space. Pellet stoves have a ‘hopper’ which feeds into the burning chamber. Proper maintenance of ‘hopper’ and ‘feed unit’ will reduce the risk of fire getting out of the burn chamber. Before lighting your ‘stove’, insure that the ‘damper' is open so that the smoke can exit through the chimney. The ‘firebox’ should be cleaned daily to reduce ash build up. When cleaning the ashes out of the ‘firebox’, be sure to use a metal bucket. DO NOT use plastic buckets to remove the ashes. Also, make sure you take the bucket outside immediately and set the bucket on the ground, away from other combustible products.  We have responded to many fires where the home owner set the hot bucket of ashes on the deck outside, which in turn, set the deck and house on fire. Also, as recommended in the “Open-flame Fireplaces” section, DO NOT use ‘green’ wood. The term ‘green’ wood refers to the dryness of the wood. Wood that has not had enough time to ‘dry out’ before being burned, will cause a much quicker build-up of creosote in your chimney. The build-up of creosote in chimneys is the cause of most chimney fires. Fresh cut wood should be dried out for at least a year before being burned.

Electric Fireplaces– This product is the newest of clean heating sources in the home. They provide the look of a real fireplace without an actual flame. They also don’t require a chimney or the need to clean ashes from the ‘firebox’, which is actually not accessible because it is a sealed unit. These units are generally operated with a remote control, much like a TV remote. If properly installed, there is no maintenance with the exception of keeping the unit free of dust. They provide radiant heat to a living area, so users should use caution when placing combustibles in the area of the unit.

Gas Fireplaces– These units provide an excellent source of heat. A gas line is connected from the fireplace to either a propane tank (LP) or an in-street gas line (NG). The unit is also connected to an electrical source to provide ignition when lighting the fireplace. These units are generally operated with a remote control or by a control panel located on the front of the fireplace. There are 2 types of units, vented and ventless. The vented unit requires a through the wall chimney while the ventless does not. The installation of these heating sources requires professional installation. There is an open-flame inside of the ‘firebox’. Use caution when placing combustibles near the heating unit. Like the electric, maintenance consists of keeping the unit free of dust only. Carbon Monoxide may also be an issue with these units.

Electric Heaters– These clean operating units are very small heat sources that only require an outlet located within 6 feet or less, of the unit. They operate by use of heating coils and a fan. There is no open flame. Because these units are so small and portable, users should use extreme caution concerning where they place the unit in relation to other combustibles. All units sold today, require that an automatic tip-over cut-off switch be part of the operation of the unit. This reduces the chance of the unit being knocked over and setting other combustibles on fire. As far as maintenance is concerned, just keep them dust free and insure that the cords are not frayed.

Kerosene Heaters– These products use kerosene fuel (K-1) to heat a living area. Though larger than an electric heater, they are still considered portable. The fuel tank is located in the base of the unit. The user is required to manually ignite the unit and adjust the flame located in the stack/burn area. The heat rises and exhausts from the top of the unit, thus heating the living area. They do provide a good source of clean burning heat, however, if not properly maintained or if located in an unsecure environment, they can have potentially disastrous consequences. It is not uncommon for these units to be accidentally knocked over, causing the fuel to spill out and possibly igniting the area with fire. Carbon Monoxide may also be an issue with these units.

  As with any and all heat sources including cooking stoves, ovens, candles, lighters, matches, etc., it is imperative that we insure that our children are safe and don’t get burned. Make sure that every safety precaution provided by the manufacturer of your heating source is used and insure that you teach your children the importance of not playing with fire. Children have a habit of learning from the things adults do and try it themselves when we aren’t watching. Make sure you explain the risks to your children concerning anything you do that may be dangerous to them. They will only learn if they are taught. In one split second, your holiday season can become a lifelong tragedy for you and your children.

  NEVER use an oven, cook top, gas grill, charcoal grill or fire pit to heat your home or building. DO NOT use accelerants (Gasoline, diesel fuel, charcoal fluid, etc.) in your home to start fires in your heating source. Besides the possibility of an explosion, open flames produce CO and must be properly ventilated to reduce or eliminate exposure.

Chimneys

  Some of the heat sources mentioned above, require the use of a chimney. There are many different sizes, types and shapes of chimneys, however they all have one thing in common. They must be cleaned periodically to insure they are not obstructed, they are free of defects and they are free of creosote. Creosote is the by-product of unburned gases that have a tendency to attach to the side walls of chimneys as the gases cool while exhausting through the chimney. Over a period of time, the creosote gets thicker on the side walls of the chimney, thus reducing the inside diameter of the chimney. As the inside diameter of the chimney gets smaller, it takes longer for the exhaust gases to cool and eventually, the higher temperatures will set the creosote in the chimney on fire. We receive calls for chimney fires during the colder month’s frequently. On occasion, especially if the chimney has defects, a chimney fire can sometimes set the entire house on fire. Defects include cracks in the flue liner, failed mortar joints, separation of pipes, etc. If there is any type of defect in your chimney, you must repair the problem before using it. Another hazard encountered is bird, bee or squirrel nests. Chimneys provide a safe place for these creatures to build their own homes during the spring, summer and fall. Generally, we are not using them and they provide a dark, mostly quiet and secret area for nesting. Using screen material at the top of the chimney will usually prevent these issues, however, unless they are checked, the screen itself may dislodge and allow the creatures to enter. All of these issues that can occur with chimneys are the reason we recommend that either you as a homeowner or a professional, visually inspect and clean your chimney annually to reduce the risk of a chimney fire.

Smoke Detectors

 It is a proven fact that smoke detectors save lives. Indirectly, they also save property by alerting homeowners to a problem during the early stages of a fire. This early detection, sometimes allows firefighters to get on the scene before the fire gets too large. Smoke detectors should be placed in every bedroom and on every floor of your home or business. If you have a two (2) story home with three (3) bedrooms and a basement, you should have a total of six (6) smoke detectors. Everyone, by now, has heard the saying “Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries”. This is no joke! We have been to many fires where there was a smoke detector present, but it didn’t work because the batteries were dead. Isn’t your life worth $10 a year? Make sure to clean the dust from them when you change your batteries. Also, smoke detectors do have a life expectancy. If your smoke detector is more than ten (10) years old, it’s time for replacement. Smoke detectors can be purchased at most home improvement stores. All new or renovated homes and buildings in the State of Maryland, are required by law to have these devices present before the electrical inspection is completed. 

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning and Detectors

  Although this topic is not necessarily a Fire Prevention issue, the topic should be considered a concern for you, your family or your customers. Any of the above heating sources that use petroleum, wood or grain as a fuel, produce exhaust containing carbon monoxide (CO). It is always recommended that you have a CO detector in your home or business if you have sources of CO in your home or business. Though the human body can stand some exposure to CO, the exposure should be very limited. The health effects of CO depend on the CO concentration and length of exposure, as well as each individual's health condition. CO concentration is measured in parts per million (ppm). Most people will not experience any symptoms from prolonged exposure to CO levels of approximately 1 to 70 ppm but some heart patients might experience an increase in chest pain. As CO levels increase and remain above 70 ppm, symptoms become more noticeable and can include headache, fatigue and nausea. At sustained CO concentrations above 150 to 200 ppm, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death are possible. An exposure table has been listed below that includes the concentration and symptoms that may be experienced with CO exposure.

Concentration                                                      Symptoms

35 ppm                                  Headache, dizziness within 6 to 8 hours of constant exposure

100 ppm                                Slight headache in 2 to 3 hours

200 ppm                                Slight headache within 2 to 3 hours; loss of judgement

400 ppm                                Frontal headache within 1 to 2 hours

800 ppm                                Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 mins; insensible within 2 hours

1,600 ppm                             Headache, tachycardia, dizziness and nausea within 20 mins; death in less that 2 hours

3,200 ppm                             Headache, dizziness and nausea in 5 to 10 mins; Death within 30 mins

6,400 ppm                             Headache, dizziness in 1 to 2 mins; Convulsions, respiratory arrest and death in less than 20 mins

12,800 ppm                           Unconcious after 2 or 3 breaths; Death in less than 3 mins 

  If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms of CO poisoning, get outside to fresh air immediately. Leave the home or building and call 911 to report your symptoms. You could lose consciousness and die if you stay in the home or building. If you believe you have CO poisoning, let the 911 dispatcher know this so that prompt medical attention is given. Transport to a medical facility is always recommended to confirm CO poisoning. Make sure a qualified service person checks the appliances for proper operation before reusing them.

  CO detectors should also be present on every floor of your home or building. One thing that everyone should be aware of when it comes to CO detectors, they DO NOT MALFUNCTION!!!! The units operate by scanning synthetic hemoglobin (synthetic blood). If the color of synthetic hemoglobin changes, it scans the exposure level to determine the ppm (parts per million) present in the atmosphere of the area. If these devices sound, there are only three things that make them activate. #1-Carbon monoxide reading of greater than 10 ppm (depending on manufacturer), #2-The battery is dead, #3-They have reached there life expectancy. The last two things usually cause a dull chirping sound every so often. Either change the battery pack or replace the unit. If the unit chirps or sounds loudly and/or constantly, you DO have a CO issue. Get out of the house or building immediately and call 911. DO NOT open windows and doors to ventilate. When the fire department arrives, we will use our gas monitoring devices to determine the cause of the CO alarm. If the house or building is ventilated on our arrival, it will take us longer to determine the cause. 

  There are many websites online that can provide you with additional information regarding CO and we recommend that you visit them. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), CDC(Center for Disease Control) and many other government agencies provide a large amount of information regarding CO poisoning as well. Simply ‘search’ for “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning” and a huge selection of websites will appear.

Holiday Decorations and Christmas Trees

  During the holiday season, many of us get into the holiday spirit by hanging lights, hanging decorations, lighting candles and putting Christmas trees in our homes. Every one of these things, have the potential to be dangerous if they are not properly used. Below, is a list of things that you and your family can do to prevent a Christmas tragedy from occurring.

1. When purchasing or using lights on the exterior of your home or business, insure that the items are designed for outdoor use. DO NOT use interior/indoor lighting outside. Outdoor lighting is specially designed to handle moisture issues like rain, frost, ice, snow and Ultra Violet rays. Indoor lighting is not designed for moisture or UV. Also make sure that the product is UL listed. Even if you have used indoor lighting outside in the past, you have probably just been lucky and your luck may run-out this year.
2. If using extension cords outside, make sure they too, are designed for exterior use and are UL listed. Again, these products have been designed to handle not only moisture issues, but also UV issues (the sun). The materials used, resist damage caused by UV radiation and are generally thicker to reduce the risk of cutting the wire. Also, make sure that the cord you are using can reach the outlet. It is never recommended by any manufacturer to have more than one cord connected from the fixture to the outlet.
3. Exterior outlets should be on a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) circuit. Either the outlet or the circuit breaker in the electrical panel should be GFCI. They are different than your normal circuit breaker because these devices quickly and automatically trip off if an arc or moisture are present in the electrical circuit. A circuit breaker only trips if you exceed the amperage of the breaker.
4. DO NOT use household extension cords outside. They are not designed for exterior use. They also use much smaller wire. Exterior lights usually draw much higher amperage and this may exceed the design of the cord.
5. DO NOT use tacks, nails or regular staples to hang your lights. There are specially designed insulated staples on the market that are designed to hold electric wire. There are also many manufacturers of non-permanent mounting or hanging devices for use with Christmas lights.
6. Although we recommend that you never use an extension cord, if you must use a household extension cord inside, DO NOT plug more than one extension cord between the fixture and the outlet. If the distance from the fixture is 12 feet from the outlet, use a 12 foot extension cord. Insure that the cord is UL listed. We also recommend that businesses never use extension cords, especially as permanent wiring for displays. The National Life Safety Code requires that all permanent displays or fixtures be plugged into permanently installed outlets directly. This is for the safety of you, your employees and your customers.
7. Never place extension cords or fixture cords under carpeting, floor runners or rugs. Every time you walk over the cord, the sheathing rubs against the wire inside of the cord and may cause the wires to arc inside of the cord. This arcing can produce enough heat to burn the cord and eventually, the carpet, runner or rug.
8. If you intend to plug more than one light strand or fixture into a single outlet by using a multi-plug device or power strip, we recommend using a circuit breaker style power strip. If the current or amperage draw is greater than the amperage supply, the circuit breaker on the power strip will trip before damaging the buildings electrical panel circuit breaker. Also, never plug one power strip into another power strip. This is known as ‘piggy backing’. There are no manufacturers of power strips that recommend using the power strips this way.
9. Consider using on/off timers on your decorations. This not only saves energy, but also insures that your lighted decorations have time to cool down during a 24 hour period.
10. Be vigilant about the overloading of electrical circuits. Each outlet in your home or business has been designed to carry a certain amount of current or amperage. Insure that you don’t exceed the available current on the circuit you are using to power your decorations.
11. If you are using a fresh cut (live) Christmas tree in your home, leave the tree outside for a day or two after you cut it. Place the tree into your stand and add water. This allows the tree to soak up water and if there are any critters in the tree, it gives them a chance to vacate. Once you get the tree in your home and you add lights to it, remember that the heat produced by the lights can dry the tree out quickly. Make sure to add water every day to keep the tree’s moisture content high. On/off timers are also recommended to not only save energy, but also to give the lights and tree a chance to cool down. We recommend that you not allow your lights to be on for more than 6 hours. If you aren’t home or you are sleeping, who’s there to enjoy the lights anyway.
12. NEVER place Christmas trees near open flames or heating devices. Real trees have sap in them that is highly flammable and man-made trees usually use plastic for replicating the needles. Neither of these should be around flames or heat from fireplaces, candles or heaters. If a tree catches on fire, they usually do so very quickly, within seconds. They also produce a massive amount of heat and will quickly set other items in the room on fire like curtains, furniture and other decorations. Within minutes, structural components of the home or building will also catch on fire.
13. If you are hanging decorations around your home or business, make sure they are well away from heat sources. Remember that radiant heat from a heat source can build up over a period of time. It may take hours to heat a decoration up to a point where it catches fire, but there is always a potential for it to happen. These novelty items are rarely fire resistant or fire proof.
14. Like fireplaces, candles always seem to add a touch ambience to the holiday season. Some religions use them as part of their celebrations (The Chanukkiyah or Hanukkah Menorah). Many candles are scented and provide an easy way to make your home smell good. In any case, extreme caution should be taken when they are used. Insure that open flames are well away from curtains/draperies, clothes, decorations and other flammable items. Make sure that the candles are placed on stable surfaces so they don’t tip over and that children can’t “accidentally” get burned by them.

  Though there may be other fire hazards that we may encounter during the cold weather season, the items listed above are things that we see more often than others.  Generally, if you follow the manufacturer's instructions on the proper use of heating sources and electrical equipment and use extreme caution when an open flame is present in your home, you will hopefully have a fire safe cold weather season. Being vigilant at home about fire safety is everyone’s responsibility. We hope that you and your family will have a very safe, enjoyable and happy holiday. If you have questions about how to be more fire safe in your home or business, contact us and we will do our best to provide you with assistance to help reduce the risk of fire.