Winter Fire Safety

Heating is the second leading cause of U.S. home fires, deaths and injuries. December, January and February are the peak months for heating fires. Space heaters are the type of equipment most often involved in home heating equipment fires, figuring in two of every five fires (40%). Here is everything you need to know about keeping your family and home safe from fire this winter season!

Facts About Home Heating Fires

  • From 2013-2015, an average of 45,900 home heating fires occurred in the United States each year.
  • Heating was the second leading cause of home fires after cooking.
  • Home heating fires peaked in the early evening hours between 5 and 9 p.m. with the highest peak between 6 and 8 p.m.
  • Home heating fires peaked in January (21 percent) and declined to the lowest point from June to August.
  • Confined fires  accounted for 75 percent of home heating fires.
  • Twenty-nine percent of the non-confined home heating fires happened because the heat source (like a space heater or fire place) was too close to things that can burn.

Downloadable Resources

Safety and Your Tree— Quick Tips

  • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heaters.
  • Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
  • Never use your oven to heat your home.
  • Always use the right kind of fuel for fuel burning space heaters.
  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
  • Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
  • Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.

Quick Tips to Share

Share these graphics with your family and friends this winter season! We encourage you to print these and also share on social media.

Source for Content: National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Fire Administration.

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