Mail Carrier Saved Blackburn Road Home From Fire

A mail carrier from the Summit Post Office who called 911 last week saved a Blackburn Road home from serious damage when a fire started near the home's heating unit, a Summit Fire Department press release states.

Combustible materials placed too closely to the boiler, which overheated, caused the small fire, the release said.

Fire fighters were able to remove the burning material outside preventing further damage to the home.

But in the winter, home heating safety is critical.

According to a Summit Fire Department press release, heating equipment is the leading cause nationally of winter home fires and those fires are a major threat here in Summit. It is estimated that 2,865 people died in home fires in 2007. More than 80 percent of fatal fires occur in the home.

• In 2006, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 64,100 reported U.S. home structure fires, with associated losses of 540 civilian deaths, 1,400 civilian injuries, and $943 million in direct property damage.
• In 2006 heating equipment fires accounted for 16 percent of all reported home fires (second behind cooking) and 21 percent of home fire deaths.
• Space heaters, whether portable or stationary, accounted for one-third (30 percent) of the home heating fires and three-fourths (73 percent) of home heating fire deaths in 2006.
• In 2003-2006, the leading factor contributing to home heating fires (28 percent) and deaths (46 percent) was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding. These statistics exclude fires that were confined to a chimney, flue, fuel burner or boiler.

According to National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires in the months of December, January and February. The organization estimates that roughly 55,000 home heating equipment fires occurred in the latest year the organization studied.

In an effort to cut down on the number of fires related to home-heating equipment the Summit Fire Department offers these tips:

• Keep things that burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.
• Use fireplaces, woodstoves, heaters and furnaces properly and carefully, with good maintenance.
• Get furnaces and chimneys inspected once a year and cleaned or repaired if needed.
• Closely watch children and pets in rooms with heating equipment, and keep them safely away.
• Turn off portable space heaters when you get ready to sleep or if you leave the room.