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Heating

Throughout the winter you must stay warm. Thanks to portable heaters this is made possible. To prevent a burn injury there are a few things you may want to know while bundling up.

Safety Tips:

• If you use portable electric or kerosene heaters, make sure there is at least three feet of clearance around them while in operation.
• Do not store newspapers, rags, or other combustible materials near a furnace, hot water heater, or space heater.
• Never use a stove as a substitute for a furnace or space heater.
• Never dry clothing or place anything combustible over a heater.
• Kerosene heaters should never be used inside the home; it is a violation of the fire code.
• Freestanding heaters should have a “tip-over” shut-off switch.
• Keep children and pets away from heating devices.

Facts and Figures:

• Have your home heating system checked annually by a qualified professional.
• Kerosene heaters cause approximately 2,300 fires and 100 deaths each year in the United States.
• California statutes of the Health and Safety code prohibit the sale of un-vented heater designed for the use inside the home.
• Most fires involving space heaters are a direct result of combustible materials being placed too close to, or on the space heater.