Cool weather brings increased use of space heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, and fuel-burning appliances. Liberty Fire District encourages residents to take precautions against fires and carbon monoxide exposure in houses, mobile homes, and RVs.

Space Heaters

• Keep heaters at least 3 feet away from bedding, furniture, curtains, clothing, and anything else that can burn.
• Place portable heaters on a stable, level surface where they cannot be knocked over.
• Plug electric heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use extension cords or power strips.
• Turn portable heaters off before leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Keep children and pets away.
• Stop using a heater with a damaged cord, plug, or housing.
• If the plug or outlet becomes hot, stop using the heater and have the problem checked.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use heaters with appropriate safety features, including tip-over protection.

Never use a heater to dry clothing or place it where it blocks an exit.

Fireplaces and Wood Stoves

• Have chimneys, vents, and heating equipment inspected and cleaned by a qualified professional at least annually.
• Use a sturdy fireplace screen to contain sparks.
• Keep combustible materials away from fireplaces and stoves.
• Burn only fuel approved for the appliance.
• Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start or restart a fire.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation, operation, and clearances.

Handle Ashes Carefully

Allow ashes to cool before placing them in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Store the container outdoors, on a noncombustible surface, at least 10 feet from buildings.

Never place ashes in plastic containers, cardboard boxes, household trash, or on a wooden deck. Ashes may conceal hot embers long after a fire appears out.

Furnaces and Gas Appliances

Have fuel-burning heating systems and appliances serviced by qualified professionals. Keep vents, flues, air intakes, and exhaust outlets unobstructed.

Never use an oven or cooking stove to heat your home or RV. Never bring an outdoor grill or charcoal-burning appliance indoors.

If you smell natural gas or propane:

• Leave the building or RV immediately.
• Do not operate switches, appliances, or phones inside.
• Call 911 from a safe location.
• Do not reenter until emergency personnel advise it is safe.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a poisonous gas that you cannot see or smell. It can be produced when fuels such as wood, propane, natural gas, gasoline, or charcoal burn incompletely.

Fuel-burning appliances, blocked vents, vehicle exhaust, and generators can create dangerous CO conditions.

Electric heaters do not produce CO themselves, but they can still cause fires.

Install and Maintain CO Alarms

• Install CO alarms on every level of your home and outside each separate sleeping area.
• Follow the manufacturer’s placement and installation instructions.
• Use alarms with battery backup or battery power.
• Test alarms monthly and replace batteries and alarms according to their instructions.
• In RVs, use alarms suitable for RV use and follow the RV and alarm manufacturers’ requirements.

Smoke alarms and CO alarms serve different purposes. A smoke alarm detects CO only if it is specifically designed as a combination smoke/CO alarm.

If a CO Alarm Sounds

Move everyone outside into fresh air immediately and call 911 from a safe location.

• Do not stay inside to investigate the source.
• Tell the dispatcher if anyone feels ill or may still be inside.
• Do not reenter until emergency personnel advise it is safe.

Possible symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Do not wait for symptoms before leaving when an alarm sounds.

Mobile Home and RV Precautions

• Keep heaters and their cords away from bedding, curtains, and narrow walkways.
• Maintain clear access to doors and emergency escape windows.
• Have propane systems and fuel-burning equipment checked by qualified technicians.
• Keep exterior appliance vents and exhaust outlets clear.
• Never run a vehicle engine or generator where exhaust can enter the living space.
• Never operate a portable generator inside a home, RV, garage, or other enclosed space.

An open window does not make unsafe use of fuel-burning equipment safe.

Need Help Reviewing Your Home’s Safety?

Liberty Fire District offers voluntary Home Fire Safety Visits for residents within the District. A fire inspector can discuss heating hazards, alarms, and escape planning and recommend practical improvements.

Phone: 850-892-5833
Email: info@LibertyFireDistrictFL.gov
Online: Contact Us

For a fire, suspected gas leak, CO alarm activation, or other emergency, leave the area and call 911.