February 04, 2004

By: Betty Jackson
Website: http://www.1st-in-kitchens.com

State Fire Marshal Warns Against Use Of Stove As Heating Source

In the aftermath of several fatalities in Ohio related to the use of appliances as a heating source, State Fire Marshal Robert R. Rielage is reminding residents to only use appliances for the purpose for which they were intended.

Kitchen stoves are meant for cooking and should never be utilized as a heating source, says Rielage. There are just too many dangers, and in some cases those dangers can have tragic results. This message is especially important with the bitterly cold temperatures we’ve been experiencing in Ohio.

Three people were killed early this month in a Columbiana County fire that started in the kitchen area of a mobile home. The stove was being used as an alternate heating source after the furnace had been shut down.

Stoves were not designed to generate heat over a large area, nor have they been tested under such conditions, says Rielage. Using a stove under such circumstances increases the chances of burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, and fire.

Homeowners should also be extra cautious when using other heating sources. More than 1,300 residential fires last year were caused by home heating appliances; half of those were attributed to wood stoves and portable heaters. Marshal Rielage says those two types of heating devices require greater attention to safety precautions that central heating systems.

Among his recommendations:

* Burn only dry, seasoned wood in a wood stove and avoid slow burning, smoky fires. Read the manual. If you use your stove frequently, additional cleaning during the winter may be necessary to avoid creosote buildup.

* Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to light a fire in a wood stove.

* Never burn trash in a wood stove, or use a kitchen stove to try and heat your home. These appliances were never meant for this purpose.

* Keep wood stoves and portable heaters free of any obstructions. Do not position them close to furniture or draperies. They could catch on fire.

* Always supervise small children when an alternate heat source is being used.

* Only used 1-K Kerosene as fuel in Kerosene heaters. Take extra care to ensure gasoline is never mistakenly used in the heater’s fuel tank. Follow safety warnings closely.

* Take extra caution with electric heaters as well. Even though there is no flame, the intense heat involved can cause fires and burns.

* Install smoke detectors on each level of your home and inside each sleeping area. Test detectors at least once a month to make sure they are working properly.

One of the most important practices you should follow closely in your home is to plan a fire drill, practice it, and know two ways out, says Marshal Rielage. Make sure your smoke detectors are working. Use them and practice your drill often. Smoke detectors can add precious seconds in event of a fire…seconds that can mean a difference between life and death.

About The Author:

Betty Jackson is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-kitchens.com.  Everything for your kitchen to make it look great and make cooking a whole lot easier.