Mark Schlachtenhaufen

EDMOND — Edmond fire officials urge residents to take steps to make their holidays “fire safe” this year.

The nonprofit safety advocate National Fire Protection Association says heating devices are the leading cause of fires in the home during December, January and February.

In 2001, there were 54,900 heating equipment-related home fires in the U.S., 220 civilian deaths, 1,120 civilian injuries and $502 million in direct property damage.

Tim Wheeler, assistant fire chief for the Edmond Fire Department, encouraged everyone to use good common sense and the safety tips provided to have a safe holiday season. When the weather turns cold people turn on their space heaters to warm up, Wheeler said.

“There's always someone who inadvertently starts a fire by putting the heater too close to the furniture or draperies,” Wheeler said. “Then there are the people who end up having fires because the heater is left on all night or the appliance accidentally tips over.”

Wheeler said different space heating equipment is involved in fires in the home: Portable electric heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces, portable kerosene heaters and room gas heaters.

Most fires with space heaters are preventable if key safety measures are followed, Wheeler said. To avoid problems, keep space (both portable and fixed) heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including furnishings, bedding and clothing. Turn the heater off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Wood stoves and fireplaces also need special care. If you’re buying a new unit, make sure a qualified technician does the installation. If the appliance has already been installed, have it checked to make sure the installation was done properly.

Wheeler said most fires in wood stoves, fireplaces and chimneys occur because of a lack of regular cleaning, leading to the buildup of creosote, the residue of unburned fuel.

Heating devices should be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use only seasoned hardwood and don’t burn trash in a fireplace because the fire could burn out of control. Keep sparks and embers inside the fireplace with fire screens made of heat-tempered glass or sturdy metal.

Turkey fryer safety

With the increased popularity of deep-fried turkeys the safety concerns have also increased.

Some units easily tip over, spilling up to five gallons of hot oil. If overfilled, the oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the cooking pot. Oil could then make contact with the flames, causing a massive grease fire.

With no thermostat controls, the units also have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion. The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles get dangerously hot, posing a severe burn hazard.

Fire officials say turkey fryers should always be used outdoors and at safe distance from buildings and other combustibles. Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before submerging in the hot oil.

Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or in garages. Never leave the fryer unattended. Never let children or pets near a fryer when in use. The oil can remain dangerously hot even hours after use.

Keep an all-purpose/ABC fire extinguisher nearby and never use water to extinguish a grease fire.

fireplace safety

Residents should have their fireplaces inspected and cleaned yearly, officials say. This is to ensure that the fireplace will work properly.

Never use a fireplace without a screen. The screen will help keep embers and logs inside the fireplace.

And be sure to put ashes in a metal container and store it outside for at least 48 hours before discarding them into a trash bin.

Officials recommend cleaning space heaters and floor furnaces before use, and removing dust and debris. Keep combustible materials at least 3 feet away from these appliances. Combustibles too close could start a fire.

Regarding holiday decorations, officials warn against overloading electrical outlets, and placing combustible materials next to candles.

Officials also encourage residents to check their smoke alarms every month and to change batteries every year.

For more information, call the Edmond Fire Prevention Office at 216-7303.