Winter Home Fire Threat Seen Rising

NU Online News Service, Nov. 25, 9:39 a.m. EST

The economy and a cold winter may create an increased risk of home fires as the public turns to cheaper, potentially unsafe alternative heating sources, an insurer is warning.

Philip E. Crombie Jr., managing forensic specialist at Travelers' Engineering Laboratory in Windsor, Conn., said the spike in alternative heating device usage over the past few years has led to a steady increase in the number of times they are used or installed improperly, causing fires and malfunctions.

Travelers noted that shipments of wood burning stoves and inserts increased by more than 80 percent in 2008, while pellet stoves and pellet fireplace inserts rose more than 160 percent over the same time period, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association.

The insurer said high demands for wood heat devices is expected to continue throughout this year and 2010 thanks to many consumers looking to supplement their main home heating supply as a way to save money.

Additionally, Travelers noted an incentive from the federal government offering a 30 percent tax rebate, up to $1,500 on the purchase of wood and pellet stoves meeting certain efficiency requirements, makes purchasing these items more appealing.

Mr. Crombie said, "With the unsettled economy, volatile home heating fuel prices and typically cold winters in certain parts of the country, more people might consider alternative heating sources."

The Travelers specialist, who also serves as the fire chief in South Windsor, Conn., said, "Using supplemental heating devices can help keep costs down, but they can pose specific hazards if they're installed incorrectly or used improperly."

Among the problems Mr. Crombie sees are chimneys filled with dangerous levels of creosote, space heaters used with extension cords that overheat, improperly installed wood stoves and fireplace inserts, and kitchen ovens used as an extra heating source.

To counter the fire threat, Mr. Crombie recommended installation of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors as well as placing stoves with adequate space for installation, maintenance and replacement, flue or vent pipe routing, and relative to combustible materials.

He also recommended hiring a licensed and certified professional for installation before emplacing a pellet stove.

For space heaters, Mr. Crombie said there should be at least a three-foot clearance between the heater and combustible materials; extension cords, if used, should be those with 14-gauge or larger wire.

Fireplaces, he said, need an annual inspection from a professional chimney sweep.

Finally, he said kitchen ovens should never be used for warmth, and alternative heat sources should have been tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).