Boone County Fire Protection District reminds residents of fire safety when heating homes
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
As Mid-Missouri begins cooling to fall temperatures, the Boone County Fire Protection District is reminding residents to follow home heating safety precautions before using space heaters or fireplaces.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, about a third of fires between 2019 and 2023 were caused by heating devices. About 8% of fires during that time were also caused by fireplaces.
The BCFPD reminds residents to look for space heaters with a “tip-over” switch that automatically turns the device off when it is knocked over. Heaters should be plugged into the wall and never into an extension cord or power strip. All homes should also be equipped with a carbon monoxide detector for both gas heaters and general safety.
Fireplaces should be professionally cleaned and inspected for cracks and seams. When lit, an improperly cleaned chimney may cause heat to spread through the cracks of the fireplace and into a home’s attic. Fireplaces should be equipped with a metal screen to catch loose embers and sparks. Ashes should also be kept in a metal container to be thrown out when cool.
Pets, people, and furniture should be kept at least three feet away from heaters and fireplaces. Heaters should also be turned off or fully extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house.
The BCFPD also reminds people to make sure their smoke detectors are in good working order for the fall and winter seasons. The NFPA found that fires are most common from November to March.