SW Neighborhoods, Inc. Empowering Citizens since 1978

Heat it up – don’t burn it down!

Now that cold weather has arrived, here’s timely advice from Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue on how to keep warm and safe.

Furnace Safety

• Inspect and clean your furnace prior to each heating season.
• Follow appliance directions for oiling motors and checking drive belts and replace worn belts as necessary.
• If you can’t locate appliance instructions or are unsure of how to maintain or service your unit, contact a professional furnace service company to assist you.
• Periodically inspect and replace furnace filters to ensure the efficiency of your system.
• Keep combustible items such as boxes, flammable liquids, newspapers, etc., at least 3 feet away from the pilot light of a gas furnace.

Portable Heaters

• Use only Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-approved portable heaters and follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
• Never use kerosene, propane, or other outdoor-use heaters indoors. They may start a fire and there is a high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Make sure your portable heater has a “tip switch” which automatically shuts off the heater in the event the unit is knocked over.
• Many units have exposed surfaces which become very hot. Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from combustibles such as bedding, furniture, and/or drapes.
• Keep children and pets away from all portable heaters.
• Never dry clothes or shoes by placing them on top of a heating unit.
• Always turn off space heaters when you go to bed or leave the house.
• Never use an electric heater near water, such as in a bathroom.
• Do not plug other devices into an outlet used by an electric space heater.
• Portable heaters are temporary heating units for single rooms - don’t try to heat an entire house with them.
• And finally, don’t go to sleep without turning off your portable heater.
• Make sure your fireplace or woodstove is installed according to the local building codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have your chimney and flue pipes inspected for cracks and cleaned by a professional. Leaks could bring deadly Carbon Monoxide fumes into your home.
• Install a tight-fitting fireplace screen or place a sturdy screen in front of your fireplace.
• Before lighting a fire, make sure the flue is unobstructed and that the damper is open.
• Never burn newspapers, wrapping paper, or greenery in a fireplace or woodstove.
• Never use gasoline, lighter fluid, or any other petroleum products to start or rekindle a fire.
• Burn only dry, seasoned wood in your woodstove or fireplace to prevent the buildup of creosote.
• Keep your fire manageable. A fire that grows too large and hot can cause a chimney fire.
• Keep all combustible materials at least three feet away from the fireplace or woodstove.
• Dispose of ashes in a metal container with a lid and store the container far away from combustibles such as a deck or siding. Keep the ashes in this container for a minimum of five days

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning may include:

• Slight headache or dizziness
• Nausea
• Drowsiness or euphoric feeling
• Confusion or irritability
• Unconsciousness

Everyone is at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning, however, unborn babies, infants, children, senior citizens, and people with heart or lung problems may be more vulnerable to poisoning