Posted on Friday, 17th December 2010 by
The holiday season in much of the United States brings up images of a Currier and Ives scene: the winter snowy landscape, sleighs, and the fireplace. “But the fire is so delightful,” as the song goes.
Households and businesses often make use of alternative or supplemental heating sources in the winter. Sometimes this is out of necessity and sometimes nostalgia. But these alternative heat sources are a predominant factor in fire loss and keeping safety in mind while using these heat sources is important as the Insurance Information Institute reminds us.
“Space heaters, wood stoves and other supplemental heating sources are the leading cause of home fires during the winter months, trailing only cooking equipment.” The Institute states that portable heating devices accounted for “two of every three home heating related fires and two of every three related deaths.” Such units are used in small businesses, shops, and other businesses as well as homes. Fireplaces are equally as dangerous, “fireplaces and chimneys were involved in 43 percent of these fires (2008 statistics) and 11 percent of the deaths.”
Many steps can be taken to reduce the risk:
- Children should NEVER have access to a supplemental heat source. For your business, this means signage and instruction to employees that a zero-tolerance policy is in force: No kids by the fire. No kids by the stove.
- Maintenance and cleaning. No fireplace or stove should be used without an annual cleaning to remove byproducts such as creosote. Shop heaters and space heaters need inspection and maintenance.
- Space must be provided around all supplemental heating sources. These areas must be free of combustible materials (and children).
- Installation must be performed by a professional.
- Use quality products approved and tested by Underwriters Laboratory. Construction and design flaws are a significant source of supplemental heat source fires.
Finally, discuss with your insurer or insurance professional your use of supplemental heat sources. Make sure your business is covered under your business insurance for accidents stemming from the use of such sources.
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Tags: Fire, Fire Keeping
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