| The National Fire Prevention Association claims | | | | heaters before the winter arrives. |
| states space heaters are responsible for more | | | | Do not leave natural gas heaters unattended. Fires |
| than 60% of home fires during the winter | | | | happen fast. A living room can go from zero to |
| months. Natural gas heaters are particularly | | | | inferno in a matter of seconds and once it does |
| dangerous because they use an open flame to | | | | internal temperatures are easily in excess of 1000 |
| heat the area and not air distribution from a | | | | degrees fahrenheit. At this point the only thing |
| furnace. Natural gas heaters can be very | | | | you can do is get your family to safety. |
| effective space heaters and most of the new | | | | Make sure that all furniture, curtains, toys, dogs, |
| models are much safer than models in the past. | | | | kids, etc are a safe distance away from the |
| To avoid catastrophe when using a natural gas | | | | heater. When you are satisfied that they are far |
| heater follow these simple steps. | | | | enough away double the distance. Objects have a |
| Use only natural gas heaters that are up to date | | | | way of getting inadvertently bumped and ending |
| with all safety regulations and are certified by a | | | | up in the danger zone without people noticing if |
| nationally recognized certifying agency, such as | | | | they start out too close. |
| Underwriters Laboratories. | | | | Practice safety procedure with your family. Kids |
| Make sure that all safety features are working | | | | need to have a few escape route emblazoned in |
| properly. This means that all safety screen are | | | | their memories, so if disaster strikes they know |
| intact. The thermo coupling valve shuts the gas | | | | what to do. They practice fire drills at school |
| off if the flame stops burning. The tip switch | | | | where the chances of an actual fire are low, why |
| shuts the flame off if the device it tipped over. | | | | not practice at home where there is a higher |
| Any automatic thermostat shutoffs are in proper | | | | threat? |
| working order. And, any thing else that is meant | | | | Following these simple rules plus exercising some |
| to work, works. This may mean that you need to | | | | common sense will go a long way in keeping your |
| have a professional come take a look at your | | | | family safe during natural gas heater season. |