Heating Safety & Generator Safety Tips from the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal

Using a space heater?

  • Place space heaters 3-5 feet from combustible objects like blankets
  • Plug all heating appliances directly into wall outlets, not power strips or extension cords
  • Do not use stoves or ovens to heat homes
  • Don’t overfill fireplaces/wood-burning stoves
  • Do not leave candles/open flames (or space heaters) left unattended
  • Have working smoke alarms in your home!

Using a portable generator?

  • Do not place generators inside of any structure including garages, carports and sheds (not even if the door is open fully or partially)
  • Instead, place the generator at least 20 feet away from your home, downwind away from open doors, windows and vents (porches are too close). Be mindful of the distance to your neighbor’s home too!!
  • Before refueling, turn the generator off and allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes
  • Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet
  • Instead, use a heavy-duty, outdoor extension cord to plug appliances into generators
  • Do not use in rain or wet conditions
  • Have a fire extinguisher nearby
  • Have a carbon monoxide alarm for your home

Using a home standby generator?

  • Have a CO alarm!
  • Give the generator a break once or twice a day to allow for any exhaust build-up around your home to clear
  • Open windows and doors during those breaks to allow for any CO build-up inside of your home to clear
  • Ensure your generator is being properly maintained including the oil change frequency requirements
  • Refer to your owner’s manual or contact your dealer or unit’s manufacturer if you have concerns or questions regarding proper installation or maintenance

If your CO alarm sounds:

  • Turn off the generator and open doors and windows to ventilate your home
  • Look for any air entry points into the homer near your unit and ensure that those are properly closed and sealed off, such as windows or doors, air intakes, nearby dryer vents, or crawl spaces
  • Inspect your air filter for any dirt or debris residue and change the filter if found to be dirty
  • Check for anything around the unit that might be blocking airflow and remove the blockage

The SFM’s Operation Save-A-Life program partners with local fire departments and districts to provide FREE smoke alarm installations, at any time of the year, for families in need of assistance accessing the critical emergency alert equipment.

In addition to having working smoke alarms, the SFM also emphasizes the importance of having planned and practiced escape routes for your home, including knowing two ways out of every room.

To register for a free smoke alarm, or learn more about Operation Save-A-Life, visit lasfm.org.

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