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Check Your Hot Spots/Heating Safety
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Hillsboro
Fire Department urges you to warm you and your homesafely.
Each year we respond to fires that are started by heating
equipment or fires that are the result of keeping combustibles
to close to heating equipment. In fact in 2001 there were
over 950 home heating and chimney fires in Oregon. These
fires resulted in 11 fatalities and 40 injuries causing
as estimated $5,600,000 in property loss. Most fires are
caused by human error, particularly the misuse of portable
heaters, fireplace and woodstoves. Taking simple safety
precautions can prevent most home fires. |
Facts and Figures:
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In
2001 there were over 950 home heating and chimney fires in
Oregon.
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These
fires resulted in 11 fatalities and 40 injuries that required
hospitalization.
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Most
of the fatalities and injuries occurred in nighttime fires,
because the smoke alarms did not function.
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The
950 fires resulted in $5,600,000 in property damage and loss.
Safety Steps:
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Have
your chimney and fireplace cleaned and inspected yearly for
creosote build-up, cracks, crumbling bricks and mortar, and
obstructions by a certified chimney sweep.
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Place
ashes in a covered metal container, stir in water, and then
place outside at least three feet from anything that can burn,
for 72 hours prior to disposing of the ashes.
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A
flue fire can ruin a chimney or stovepipe. To prevent flue
fires, burn dry, well seasoned wood. Burn small hot fires.
Don't burn trash.
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Always
use a fireplace screen made of sturdy metal or heat-tempered
glass to prevent sparks from escaping. (If children are present,
use a special child-guard screen as a barrier for your woodstove.)
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Keep
anything that can burn at least three feet away from a fireplace,
insert or woodstove. (Do NOT keep wood piled
next to the fireplace or woodstove.)
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