September/October 2012 - City of Golden Valley

FIRE
Season Change Brings
CO And Fire Concerns
Fall marks a pleasant shift from hot to mild temperatures, from muggy to crisp, from air conditioners to
fireplaces, but keep in mind that with theses changes comes an elevated risk for fires and carbon monoxide
poisoning.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, the two
leading causes of reported home fires and home fire injuries are
cooking and heating equipment. However, some potential fire
hazards go undetected because people simply do not take steps
to fireproof their home. The clothes dryer is one area that needs
regular attention.
Dryer Safety
As you think about appliance safety this fall, consider a common
danger that increases in the autumn: clothes dryer fires.
According to the US Fire Administration, an estimated 2,900
clothes dryer fires in residential buildings are reported each
year and cause an estimated five deaths, 100 injuries, and $35
million in property loss. Incidence is higher in the fall and winter
months, peaking in January.
The leading factor in dryer fires is failure to clean (34 percent).
Dust, fiber, and lint (28 percent) and clothing not on a person
(27 percent) were, by far, the leading items first ignited in
clothes dryer fires in residential buildings.
“Lint and dust are combustible,” says Stephen Baker, safety
education specialist. “And all dryers have an ignition.”
Clean out your dryer, he adds. Clean the filter after every use
and regularly clear the vents. When installing a new dryer, have
a professional hook it up.
“Dryer fires are common, but preventable,” Baker says. “Very,
very preventable.”
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, poisonous
gas created by burning fuel. It comes from appliances used for
heating and cooking and from vehicles running in attached
garages. Today’s energy-efficient homes can also trap COpolluted
air inside.
Clogged fireplaces and faulty furnaces make the risk of CO
poisoning especially pertinent as temperatures drop. When it
starts getting really cold, people are often tempted to let their
cars warm up in the garage. This is a mistake, says Baker.
“Even if your garage door is open, the outside air pressure
keeps the fumes inside the garage, where they will penetrate
into the home,” Baker says.
Symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, weakness,
sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and disorientation.
To limit CO, buy appliances approved by a nationally recognized
testing organization such as Underwriter’s Laboratory
(UL). When possible, choose fuel burning appliances that can
be vented outdoors. Have all natural gas appliances, heating
systems, vents, chimneys, and flues inspected and, if necessary,
cleaned by a qualified technician every year. Provide adequate
outdoor air for your furnace and water heater. It is unlawful to
install an unvented fireplace in Minnesota.
Furthermore, state law requires all homes to have a CO detector
within 10 feet of every bedroom or within each sleeping
room. It’s a good idea to have one on each level of the home,
especially the same level as the furnace, since that’s the most
likely source of a CO leak, Baker says.
For more information about fire prevention and safety, go to
www.goldenvalleymn.gov/fire/prevention/index.php.
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