Stay warm, stay safe Published Feb. 1, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Jessica Hines 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- While Colorado's snow is paradise to some, it is a conceptual ice box to others. Heating is a leading cause of residential fires as more than one-quarter of residential fires result from improper maintenance of equipment, specifically the failure to clean the equipment. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the leading factor contributing to home heating fires and deaths is placing heating equipment too close to items, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding. On Peterson, space heaters have become the topic of discussion as a credible fire-risk and have caused many to seek out Air Force policy on the matter. According to Air Force Instruction 91-501, "The use of portable space heaters must be in accordance with the manufacturers' specifications and have the concurrence of the base energy awareness manager." What does this mean for Peterson? Essentially, employees who require space heaters must be evaluated on a case by case basis. Officials will take into consideration individual needs that cannot be met by typical building heat, said Burke Ferrin, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief for fire prevention. "Space heaters are energy hogs and not very safe as well," he said. Many heating equipment-related fires can be prevented by following several basic safety tips: · Keep or maintain a three- foot clearance between heating equipment and anything that can burn · Inspect and maintain heating equipment regularly · Have fixed space heaters installed by a qualified technician, according to manufacturer's instructions or applicable codes. Or, ensure a qualified technician checks to see the unit has been properly installed. · When buying a new portable space heater, make sure it has the label showing it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories. · Space heaters should be turned off before leaving the room · Choose space heaters that turn off automatically if they tip over. · Never use a space heater to dry clothing. · Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home. For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound. · Test smoke alarms monthly. Other heating alternatives such as wood burning stoves, space heaters and fireplaces present various risk and anyone choosing to use these alternatives can significantly reduce the risk of harm by following additional fire-safety tips: Wood Burning Stoves and Fireplaces: · Use a metal or glass fireplace screen to contain sparks. · Be sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly. Wood stoves should have adequate clearance (three-feet) from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection, be of good quality and evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory. · The stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup. · Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time. · Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A spark from the fireplace could easily ignite these materials. · Be sure the fireplace fire is out at the end of the day. Never close the damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house. · Never break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide. · Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire. · Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide. · Allow fireplace and wood stove ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container. Electric Heaters and Space Heaters: · Check to ensure the heater has a thermostat control mechanism. · Never use extension cords with electric heaters. · Never allow children to play with, or around, the heater. · Never place anything inside the grill on the front of the heater. Kerosene Heaters: · Read and follow the procedure in the owner's manual before operating or service the unit. · Learn the safety and maintenance procedures necessary to safely operate the heating unit. · Always use water clear K-1 grade kerosene. · Never use gasoline or any other volatile fuels in the unit. · Never refuel the heater indoors, when it is hot, or in use. · Do not fill the fuel tank past the full mark. The space above the full mark is there to allow expansion of the fuel when it is operated. · Always provide adequate ventilation for the unit. Burning kerosene consumes oxygen, and produces carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases which may cause you to suffocate or have other respiratory problems. · Check with your local fire department to make sure kerosene heaters are allowed in your community. · In addition to space heaters, kerosene heaters are not an authorized item for use on Peterson. "Adherence to these requirements helps to balance the safety and welfare of personnel," said Tech. Sgt. Francis Yeager, 21st Space Wing ground safety technician, "while ensuring facilities are protected and efficiently maintained to meet mission needs."