Home Heating Safety Tips
News Release: Jan. 5, 2010
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 830-9771


Bone chilling temperatures have gripped much of the country, and the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley urges everyone to be safe and prepare as much as possible.

Many people are looking to cut down on expenses when temperatures drop and home-heating costs rise. "We usually see an increase in apartment and single-family home fires in the winter because of heating equipment such as portable or fixed space heaters," said Cordelia E. Miller, Red Cross director of emergency services. "We have steps people can follow to reduce their risk of starting a fire in their home, and still cut down on their heating bills."

Heat Your Home Safely

-- All heaters need space! Keep things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, fireplaces and stoves.

-- Place portable space heaters on a hard, level, nonflammable surface. Do not put space heaters on rugs or carpets, near bedding or drapes, and keep children and pets away. Look for a model that shuts off automatically if the space heater tips over. Do not use heating equipment to dry wet clothing.

-- Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.

-- Never leave portable heaters, wood burning stoves or fireplaces unattended. Turn them off before leaving or going to bed.

-- Keep the fire in the fireplace by using a glass or metal screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs. Burn only wood -- never burn paper or pine boughs.

-- Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary.

Cut Down on Your Heating Bills

-- Eliminate drafts. Use either insulating tape or caulking strips to surround windows and door moldings. Cover your windows with plastic sheeting. If you have storm windows or storm doors, get them up to keep the cold out.

-- Make sure heat vents aren't blocked by furniture.

-- Turn down the thermostat.

-- Close off any rooms that aren't in use and close heat vents or turn off radiators in those rooms.

-- Insulate your light switch and outlet plates with foam pads. Cold air can seep into the house through them.

-- Use heavy curtains to keep cold air out. Open them during the day to let the sun help warm your home and close them at night. Use fabric snakes or old carpets in front of windows and doors to help eliminate drafts.

-- Turn off vent fans in the kitchen and bathroom when they are no longer needed.

-- Set ceiling fans to blow air down.

For information about local community heating assistance programs, call Valley Wide Help, an information and referral program of the Red Cross, at 610-435-7111.


Dress for the Weather

-- Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing. Don't forget gloves or mittens, and a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.

-- Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep feet warm and dry and to maintain footing in ice and snow.

Don't Forget Your Neighbors and Pets

-- Check on people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

-- " Don't forget pets - bring them indoors. If that's not possible, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they can get to unfrozen water.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross helped more than 70,000 people through preparedness and training, military personnel support, senior lifesaving programs and services, emergency relief and information and referral. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.