| FIREPLACE, FIRE PIT & SPACE HEATER SAFETY
Fireplaces, outdoor fire pits, and portable space heaters can provide warmth and comfort, but each can create serious fire hazards when used improperly. Safe heating starts with proper placement, regular inspection, and constant attention.
🔥 FIREPLACE SAFETY
Before using your fireplace:
Have your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned regularly by a qualified professional.
Keep furniture, curtains, decorations, rugs, and other combustible materials at least 3 feet away from the fireplace.
Use a sturdy fireplace screen or doors to prevent sparks and embers from entering the room.
Burn only dry, seasoned firewood.
Never burn garbage, plastics, treated lumber, or other inappropriate materials.
Never use gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable liquids to start a fire.
Keep children and pets a safe distance from the fireplace.
Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly.
Never leave a fireplace unattended.
Ash Disposal
Allow ashes to cool completely before removing them.
Place ashes in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid.
Keep the container outside and away from the house, garage, decks, porches, and other combustibles.
Never place hot ashes in a plastic or cardboard container.
Remember that ashes can remain hot enough to ignite combustibles for many hours.
🔥 OUTDOOR FIRE PIT SAFETY
Before starting an outdoor fire, check applicable local regulations, burn restrictions, and weather conditions.
Choose a Safe Location
Place the fire pit on a stable, non-combustible surface.
Keep the fire pit away from buildings, decks, fences, trees, and other combustible materials.
Never place a fire pit beneath low branches, awnings, tents, or other overhead structures.
Never use a fire pit in an enclosed area.
Build a Safe Fire
Burn only clean, dry firewood.
Never burn garbage, plastics, construction materials, or treated lumber.
Keep the fire small and manageable.
Never use gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable liquids to start or accelerate a fire.
Keep children and pets away from the fire.
Keep a garden hose or appropriate extinguishing equipment readily available.
Never leave an outdoor fire unattended.
Watch the Weather
Wind can turn a small fire into a large fire.
Do not burn during strong or gusty winds. Embers can travel considerable distances and ignite roofs, decks, mulch, trees, or neighboring properties.
âš¡ SPACE HEATER FIRE SAFETY
Portable space heaters can provide supplemental heat but can also cause fires when placed too close to combustible materials or when electrical circuits are overloaded.
The 3-Foot Rule
Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including:
Furniture
Bedding
Curtains
Clothing
Paper
Rugs
Decorations
Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
Plug It Directly Into the Wall
Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet.
Never use an extension cord or power strip with a portable space heater unless specifically permitted by the manufacturer.
Never plug multiple high-wattage appliances into the same outlet.
If the plug, outlet, or cord becomes hot, turn off the heater and unplug it immediately.
Use It Safely
Purchase heaters that have been tested and certified by a recognized testing laboratory.
Choose a heater with automatic shut-off and tip-over protection whenever possible.
Place the heater on a solid, level surface where it cannot easily be knocked over.
Never use a heater to dry clothing, blankets, towels, or other materials.
Never cover a space heater.
Keep the heater away from water and damp areas unless it is specifically designed for that environment.
Turn off and unplug portable heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
Never use a portable space heater as a substitute for your home's primary heating system unless it is specifically designed and approved for that purpose.
🧯 PUT THE FIRE OUT — COMPLETELY!
When you are finished with a fireplace or outdoor fire pit:
Allow the fire to burn down naturally when possible.
Spread the remaining wood and embers apart.
Douse the fire thoroughly with water.
Stir the ashes and embers.
Add more water.
Continue stirring and soaking until everything is cool to the touch.
Never leave until you are certain the fire is completely extinguished.
Never leave a fire smoldering overnight.
🚒 IF A FIRE GETS OUT OF CONTROL
If a fireplace, fire pit, or space heater starts a fire that cannot be immediately and safely controlled:
GET OUT — STAY OUT — CALL 911.
Do not put yourself in danger trying to save property.
Never put yourself between a fire and your escape route.
REMEMBER
🔥 Keep combustibles at least 3 feet away.
🔥 Watch the fire. Never leave it unattended.
🔥 Keep space heaters away from everything that can burn.
🔥 Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets.
🔥 Watch the weather before using an outdoor fire pit.
🔥 Always completely extinguish fires before leaving them.
PREVENT FIRES • PROTECT YOUR FAMILY • PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY
If you have questions or concerns about fire safety, please contact us at info@montrosefire.com. For emergencies, dial 911.
Stay tuned for the Day 7 Safety Memo. |
