With the recent influx of cooler weather starting to settle in, the Henry County Fire Department wants to remind residents of some key tips when using central and alternative heating methods in the home. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that “heating equipment caused one in seven home structure fires (14%) that took place in 2014-2018 and 19% of home fire deaths.” The Henry County Fire Department wants residents to be safe and proactive when using heating equipment or systems and offers the following tips from the NFPA:

•All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from the heating equipment.

•NEVER use your oven or stove for heating. Ovens and stoves are not designed to heat your home.

•Make sure that fuel burning equipment is vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Carbon monoxide is created when fuels burn incompletely, causing illness and even death. Make sure venting for exhaust is kept clear of obstructions, including dust, animal nesting, ice, and snow.

•When using a fuel-burning space heater, open a window to reduce carbon monoxide (CO) exposure and ensure proper ventilation.

•Purchase and use space heaters that have an automatic shut-off if they tip over.

•Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets and never into an extension cord or power strip.

•Chimneys and vents need to be inspected and/or cleaned by a qualified professional at least once a year.

•Furnaces of all types should also be inspected at least once a year by a qualified professional.

•The Henry County Fire Department encourages residents to use central and alternative heating systems safely and according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Visit the Henry County Fire Department’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds for these and more fire safety and prevention tips and messages throughout the year.

For more information, contact the Henry County Fire Department at 770-288-6600.