Municipal Affairs
December 10, 2008

Minister Offers Home Heating Safety Reminders

As the temperature outside drops and people take measures to warm their homes, the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services � Newfoundland and Labrador, encourages the public to be mindful of the possible hazards associated with home heating.

"Newfoundlanders and Labradorians use a variety of methods to heat their homes," said Minister Whalen. "Residents should be mindful of the dangers that are associated with various home heating methods, which have the potential to cause carbon monoxide poisoning or fires if used inappropriately."

All homes should have a smoke detector installed on each floor and depending on the heating source most homes should have at least one carbon monoxide alarm.

"While people commonly accept the need for smoke detectors, many do not realize that a carbon monoxide alarm is equally important," said Minister Whalen. "A carbon monoxide alarm could save your life, especially because the toxic fumes are impossible to see, taste or smell."

Gas and propane fireplaces or appliances and wood stoves are potential sources of carbon monoxide which is an odourless, colourless and toxic gas. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the most common risk associated with home heating and can result in serious illness or death. At lower levels of exposure, carbon monoxide causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of carbon monoxide exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.

Minister Whelan reminds residents to be mindful of adhering to manufacturer�s instructions and general safety measures when using all home heating equipment and appliances.

"Disastrous home fires can result from the inappropriate use of any home heating equipment or appliance," said Minister Whelan. "Home heating is second only to cooking when it comes to causes of home fires. But loss of life and property can be prevented by identifying and planning for potential hazards. I encourage residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to keep home heating safety in mind during the winter season and year-round."

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Media contact:

Bradley Power
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services � Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 697-5216
BradleyPower@gov.nl.ca

 

BACKGROUNDER

Home Heating Safety Tips

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention

  • Install at least one carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal near the sleeping areas and outside individual bedrooms.
  • Make sure the alarm has been evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
  • Carbon monoxide alarms measure levels of carbon monoxide over time and are designed to sound an alarm before an average, healthy adult would experience symptoms. It is very possible that you may not be experiencing symptoms when you hear the alarm. This does not mean that carbon monoxide is not present.
  • Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at least once a year.
  • Never use a range or oven to help heat a home and never use a charcoal grill or barbeque in a home or garage.
  • Never keep a car running in a garage. Even if the garage doors are open, normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide.
  • When purchasing a home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house.

Space Heaters
  • Maintain a three foot (or 1 metre) separation between things that can burn, such as paper, furniture and curtains.
  • When buying a new space heater, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
  • Install the stationary (fixed) space heater according to manufacturer�s instructions or applicable codes or better yet, have it installed by a professional.
  • Plug electric-powered space heaters into an outlet with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.
  • Turn off space heaters whenever the room they are in is unoccupied or under circumstances when manufacturer�s instructions say they should be turned off.
  • Portable space heaters are easy to knock over in the dark and should be turned off while sleeping.

Fuel-Based and Electric Heating
  • In a fireplace or wood stove, use only dry, seasoned wood to avoid the build-up of creosote, an oily deposit that easily catches fire and accounts for most chimney fires and the largest share of home heating fires generally. Use only paper or kindling wood, not a flammable liquid, to start the fire.
  • While their use is safe in fire places, do not use artificial logs in wood stoves.
  • Make sure a fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room. Allow fireplace and woodstove ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container, which is kept a safe distance from a home.
  • Do not use an oven to heat your home.
  • Make sure fuel-burning equipment such as stoves or fireplaces are vented to the outside, that the venting is kept clear and unobstructed, and that the exit point is properly sealed around the vent, all of which is to make sure deadly carbon monoxide does not build up in the home.

General Tips
  • Inspect all heating equipment annually and clean, repair and replace as necessary.
  • Test smoke alarms regularly.
  • Install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.

2008 12 10                                                   9:45 a.m.
 

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