10/17/2026
π₯π FIRE PREVENTION MONTH Day 16: Heating Your Home Safely! π β€οΈ
Did you know? Heating equipment is the second leading cause of house fires, accounting for roughly 13% of all residential building fires. Home fires also occur more frequently during the winter months than any other time of the year!
As cooler temperatures approach, the Topeka Fire Department (TFD) reminds residents to take a few simple precautions when heating their homes. Keeping your family warm AND safe should always be a priority! π₯π‘
π‘οΈ Follow these important home heating safety tips:
π― Keep a Safe Distance: Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heat sources, including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters and candles.
π« Never Use Your Oven for Heat: Ovens are designed for cooking, not heating your home. Using an oven as a heat source can create serious fire and carbon monoxide hazards.
π Turn Off Space Heaters: Always turn off space heaters when leaving a room or going to bed. Never leave them operating unattended.
π§Ή Schedule Annual Maintenance: Have your heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected each year by a qualified professional.
β€οΈ Remember: Stay warm, stay safe! A few simple safety precautions can help prevent a devastating home fire and protect the people you love.
π The Topeka Fire Department encourages everyone to make home heating safety a priority during Fire Prevention Month and throughout the colder months ahead!
π For additional fire safety tips and free resources, visit www.usfa.fema.gov.