CUMBERLAND — As temperatures drop and residents depend on multiple types of heating sources, State Fire Marshal William Barnard offers Marylanders life- and home-saving heating safety tips.
“Elements of home heating continue to be a significant factor in dwelling fires in Maryland,” he said. “Following these guidelines, we can work together to reduce the number of residential fires.”
• Ensure chimneys are cleaned annually or more frequently if used as the primary heating source.
• Never use a flammable liquid to start a fire. Only use combustible materials like newspaper, kindling or approved fire-starting products to safely create a fire in a fireplace or wood stove.
• Use properly sized fireplace screens or enclosures.
• When disposing of cooled ashes, do not use paper or plastic containers to remove them, instead use a metal container. Ashes will insulate hot embers long after the fire is considered out.
• Make sure fuel-burning stoves and heaters are installed according to local fire codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have furnaces inspected and serviced annually.
• Check portable electric heaters for frayed/damaged wires and ensure they are clean and placed on a level surface. Use only products “listed” by an approved testing laboratory and follow manufacturer’s instructions.
• Do not use extension cords with portable space heaters. The extension cord may overheat and cause a fire.
• Use only “K-1” kerosene fuel and never fill the unit inside; remove it to the exterior after it has cooled before refueling. Open a window enough to provide proper ventilation.
• Keep combustibles at least 3 feet from all heat sources.
• Provide a noncombustible protective barrier to keep children and pets from making contact with any heating appliance.
• Fuel-burning appliances can produce the deadly, tasteless and odorless gas known as carbon monoxide. Install and maintain CO alarms inside the home to provide an early warning of dangerous carbon monoxide levels.
• Always turn off portable heating equipment when leaving the room for extended periods. Portable heaters should never be operated unattended.
• Also check to make sure that smoke alarms are in good working order. “Routine maintenance and safe operation of heating equipment combined with properly installed and operating smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are a life-saving combination for all Marylanders,” said Barnard.
Local News
Fire marshal offers winter heating tips
- Local News
-
-
Massive Oklahoma twister kills 51
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.
-
Piedmont town foreman Shingler enters guilty plea
Piedmont Town Foreman John Shingler is facing a prison term of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 after pleading guilty to a charge of conversion of government property Thursday in U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia, Martinsburg, according to court documents.
-
Final dress rehearsal for Rocky Gap Casino
As required by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, the Rocky Gap Casino went through final live testing of its operations Monday, with officials hoping to open casino doors for business on Wednesday.
-
Airport commuter service not feasible, FSU student concludes
A Frostburg State University student who undertook a survey about the feasibility of commuter service at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport said he does not believe the findings are favorable for the service at this time.
-
Straight shooter
-
Oakland house fire said deliberately set
Fire that damaged a Sanders Lane residence Sunday was arson, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.
-
Rally weekend
-
West Virginia gets reprieve from No Child Left Behind law
West Virginia won limited freedom Monday from the federal education law known as No Child Left Behind, gaining approval of its own method for identifying struggling schools and then devoting resources to improve them.
-
Group plans black Civil War veterans’ memorial
Soldiers in Hagerstown were among the first black men in Maryland to join the ranks of the Union during the Civil War, and were involved in the siege of Petersburg, Va., during the conflict.
-
Burning cases, student sanctions down at WVU
West Virginia University is seeing a decline in malicious burning cases involving students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Active Search for Utah Missing Mom Ends
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Suspects Butt Dial 911, Lead to Arrest
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
