Winter Fire Prevention is Critical

More than 6,000 people lose their lives every year in residential fires with damages adding up to more than 3 billion dollars. Having a general clean-up day can prevent some of those tragedies and losses.

Consider these three strategies to minimize the risk of fire in your home or farm; good housekeeping, smoke/fire alarms, and the safe use of energy.

"There are three necessary ingredients for a fire to occur; heat, air and fuel," says George Maher, NDSU agriculture safety specialist. "There is little chance of fire if any of these three ingredients are removed." Remove and prevent the accumulation of combustible waste to reduce the chances of a fire. A clean home and farm provides little opportunity for fire when energy is used correctly and safely.

"The most dangerous and most easily controlled fire hazard is the accumulation of combustible waste, such as newspapers, magazines, and plastic or paper bags," says Maher. "The kitchen and basement are two locations where combustible waste easily and quickly accumulates. Those are also the most common locations for energy using appliances such as stoves, water heaters, furnaces and other large electrical devices."

Remove and recycle combustible waste before it accumulates in the house, machine shed or shop. Maher suggests a safer alternative is to store recyclables and combustibles in an unheated, un-used building away from higher value buildings.

Homes should have a smoke alarm system which can vary from a single detector to a system protecting every room. "Smoke detectors alert you to the presence of smoke in the room or building," says Maher. "Remember, where there is smoke - there is fire."

Carbon monoxide detectors are also a good idea according to Maher. Carbon monoxide detectors alert you if there are dangerous levels of poisonous gases in your home.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are readily available and usually easy to install. Detectors should be tested monthly by pressing the ‘test’ button to check the battery’s strength. Some detectors also flash a bright light for the hearing impaired. Replace the battery immediately if pushing the ‘test’ button doesn’t produce a loud squeal or flashing light.

Agriculture buildings such as livestock barns, machine sheds and shops, and crop storage facilities should also be protected with fire alarm systems. "It makes good sense to protect those things that you earn your living with," according to Maher. "This can provide real peace of mind." An alarm unit can be located both indoors and outdoors to alert you at any time. Alarms for remote buildings can be connected to your phone system to warn you of a potential problem.

Monitoring appliances that heat your home or farm buildings is vital to being fire safe. Changing air and fuel filters is important, but Maher recommends hiring a qualified technician to check each heating unit for safety and efficiency. Technicians, because of their experience and training, are qualified to spot possible problem situations the average consumer would not consider.

Some important steps to take in protecting you home and buildings;

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on heating units.
• Be sure that chimney connections are tight - have a qualified chimney sweep inspect the chimney.
• Locate and set up portable heating units so they can’t tip or ignite combustibles.
• If a heating appliance isn’t working properly - get it repaired before using it.
• Be sure solid fuel heaters are never freshened or restarted with any kind of flammable liquid.
• Always allow plenty of combustion air to support an efficient, clean burning flame.
• Always keep stored combustibles out of the utility and heating unit rooms.
• Always have a protective screen for heating units with hot surfaces.

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Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, Richard_Mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu