Winter Safety Alert: Home Heating Hazards to Watch Out For
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has identified important safety hazards related to home heating appliances, such as space heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces, as winter approaches. Among the biggest threats are fires and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, which disproportionately affect communities that are already at risk.
Space Heater Safety
According to CPSC data, space heaters are involved in 1,700 fires every year, resulting in 160 injuries and 70 fatalities. To reduce the dangers:
Keep heaters at least three feet from flammable materials.
Plug heaters directly into wall outlets, not power strips or extension cords.
Turn heaters off when unattended or while sleeping.
Furnaces and Fireplaces
Chimneys and fuel-burning systems must be inspected annually. CO poisoning and ...