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Keep Warm, Keep Safe This Winter 2009 - 2010

Keep Warm Keep Safe Flyer

KWKS Tool Kit to Winter Fire Safety

To see the KWKS public service announcements go to www.YouTube.com and search on DFSOSFM

Photo of a woodstove with a glass view window and wood burning inside.

State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan and all the members of the Massachusetts fire service are concerned that high energy prices this winter might also lead to an increase in fires from heating. Heating is the second leading cause of home fires in Massachusetts. It is important to Keep Warm, Keep Safe this winter.

With the high cost of fuels, many of us might be tempted to skimp on preventive maintenance, but that could be penny wise and pound foolish. Furnaces and chimneys should be checked by a professional every year before the start of the heating season.

Unvented kerosene heaters are illegal in Massachusetts because they are so dangerous, but if you shop in neighboring states they may be for sale legally. Be safe and leave them out of state. They pose not only a fire risk, but also produce carbon monoxide.

Wood, pellet and coal stoves require a permit from the local building inspector to ensure they are installed safely and properly.

State Building Code (780 CMR) Requirements for Wood Burning Stoves and Other Solid Fuel-Burning Heating Appliances.

Space heaters can provide a little extra warmth in a cold or drafty corner or shop, but are not designed to replace household heating systems. One of every 10 space heater fires results in a fire death. Also, using extension cords with space heaters causes a lot of electrical fires.

Fire Safety Basics

Be sure to cover the fire safety basics:

Here are some links to home heating safety information:

Department of Fire Services
- Thinking of installing a wood, coal or pellet stove or already have one?
- Learn how to use space heaters safely. 1 of every 10 space heater fires causes a death. Space heaters often cause electrical fires too.
Department of Public Health
- Easy-to-Read Factsheets
  - Home Heating Safety - English
  - Home Heating Safety - Spanish
National Fire Protection Association
- Keeping Your Community Safe and Warm A tool kit for fire educators to help promote heating safety in their own community. It contains: talking points, easy-to-read and reproduce flyers, sample press releases and letters to the editor, Public Service Announcements (PSAs), statistics on home heating fires and information on national fuel assistance programs.
U.S. Fire Administration
- The U.S. Fire Administration has information on home heating fires and preventing them. They have statistical studies and public education resources about home heating safety on their website. Be aware that the use of unvented kerosene heaters is illegal in Massachusetts because of the danger of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Fuel Assistance Programs
- The following places have information on heating assistance programs, the laws on shutting off utilities in the winter months and helpful consumer information.
  - Department of Housing and Community Development
  - The Executive Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
  - The Massachusetts Department of Energy , Check their website, or call 1-800-351-0077 or email doer@state.ma.us.

For more information contact your local fire department or call the Public Fire Safety Education Hotline at 1-877-9 NO- FIRE (1-877-966-3473).