1. Have a three-foot (one-metre) “kid free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
2. Supervise children whenever a wood or oil stove or other space heater is being used. Use a sturdy metal screen to prevent contact burns, which are more common than flame burns.
3. Make sure fuel burning equipment is vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is created when fuels burn incompletely. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause illness and even death. Make sure the venting for exhaust is kept clear and unobstructed.
4. Space heaters should be plugged directly into a wall outlet and never into an extension cord or power strip. You should also avoid plugging anything into the same outlet as the one you are using for your space heater; doing so could result in over heating.
5. If the pilot light of your gas heater goes out, allow five minutes or more for the gas to go away before trying to relight the pilot. Follow manufacturers instructions when relighting the pilot and do not allow gas to accumulate.
6. Use only newspaper and kindling wood or starters to start a fire. Never use flammable liquids such as lighter fluid, gasoline, or kerosine to start a fire.
7. Chimneys and vents need to be cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional at least once a year.
8. Always use a metal or heat tempered glass screen on a fireplace and keep it in place. Gas fireplace doors can reach temperatures of 705 degrees Celsius. Serious burn injuries from hot glass can happen in less than one second.
