Home Heating Fire Safety Tips

Practicing Safety for Home Heating

The City of Oviedo Fire Department encourages you to practice Home Heating Fire Safety Tips. Although you would not normally consider Florida to experience a large volume of Home Heating related fires, they do in fact occur during the cooler weather months.

We want to provide you with some safety tips for running sources of heat in your home to prevent house fires, which are a common occurrence in the winter months:

When you turn your central heat on after a long period of non-use, you may smell a burning smell.  This could be dust that has been collected in the system.  If you see smoke, call 9-1-1 immediately and firefighters can check for fire in the roof and walls using heat signature devices.

Space Heater Safety:

• Always keep a space heater at least three (3) feet away from anything that can burn - including clothing, linens, and curtains.
• Place the heater on a solid, flat surface and buy one that has an auto shut-off should it tip over.
• Do not let children or pets play near a space heater.
• Do not overload a circuit by plugging too many space heaters in.

Chimney Safety:

• Make sure there are no blockages in the chimney before lighting a fire.  Animals may find your chimney to be a safe, warm place to nest.  
• Have your chimney inspected regularly by a professional.
• Make sure the flue is OPEN when you light a fire.
• Keep children and pets away from open flames and have a screen in front of the fireplace.
• Trim branches and trees around your chimney.
• Call 9-1-1 if smoke starts to fill the home.

Never use appliances such as a dryer or oven to heat your home.  They are not specified to be used as home heating devices and can start a fire.