The forty-below heating safety checklist

When temperatures in the Fairbanks area drop to forty below, heaters work hard and windows stay shut. That combination raises the risk of house fires and carbon monoxide build-up. Run through this checklist before the deep cold arrives, then again mid-winter.

The ten checks

1. Test every smoke and CO alarm. Press the test button on each one. Replace batteries and replace any alarm past the date printed on the back. You need one on every level and outside each sleeping area.
2. Give space heaters three feet. Keep curtains, bedding, clothing and furniture at least three feet away from any space heater.
3. Plug heaters straight into the wall. Avoid extension cords and power strips for heaters, and check the plug and outlet for heat after an hour of use.
4. Turn heaters off when you leave or sleep. Choose models with tip-over and overheat protection.
5. Have the chimney or flue inspected. Creosote builds up fast when wood stoves run all winter. Book an inspection before the season and clean as recommended.
6. Keep the stove area clear. Store kindling, newspapers and boots away from the stove. Use a metal container with a lid for ashes and keep it outside, away from the house.
7. Never warm up a car in an attached garage. Even with the door open, exhaust can enter the home. Use a plug-in block heater instead.
8. Keep a fire blanket in the kitchen. Mount it near the stove, not over it, so it is easy to grab for a small pan fire.
9. Plan two ways out. For upstairs bedrooms, a two-story escape ladder stored under the bed gives everyone a second exit. Practice once with the whole household.
10. Watch your electrical system. Flickering lights or warm switch plates can be early signs of trouble. A plug-in electrical fire sensor can alert you to hazards you cannot see.

This checklist is general guidance. Follow your heater and stove manufacturer's instructions, and ask the Fort Wainwright Fire Department or your local fire service if you have questions about your home.