As temperatures drop and people begin looking for more economical or alternative ways to heat their homes, experts warn of hazards associated with the heating of homes.

According to National Fire Protection Association, in 2006, the most recent year data available, U.S. fire departments responded to 64,100 house fires that involved home-heating equipment. Those fires resulted in 540 deaths, 1,400 injuries and $943 million in direct property damage.

Heating equipment fires accounted for 16 percent of all reported home fires in 2006, second only to cooking fires, and 21 percent of home fire deaths, according to NFPA. Half of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February between 2003 and 2006.

According to NFPA, the leading factor contributing to home heating fires was heating equipment being too close to combustible materials, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses and bedding.

Enid Assistant Fire Marshal Todd Hays urged people who use space heaters or other heating devices to supplement their home’s heating to select devices with safety features, such as a “tip switch” or “overload switch.”

Installation of wood stoves or other heating sources requiring a chimney is regulated by International Mechanical Code, which has been adopted by the city of Enid.

Before installing such a device, Hays suggested reviewing the code, which is available at Public Library of Enid and Garfield County.

He also said to keep space heaters 3 feet from any combustible materials, to follow the manufacturer’s directions and to not misuse a space heater outside its intended purposes. Hays said not to place clothing, towels or other items on top of heaters to warm them up.

He said space heaters can be used safely, but “the potential for misuse is high.”

A Home Fire Safety checklist is available on Enid Fire Department’s Web site, and Hays said firefighters can come to your home and conduct a fire safety survey for those calling the department at 234-0541.

National Fire Protection Association recommends these tips for safe heating:

• Maintain a 3 feet (or 1 meter) separation between things that can burn and heating equipment.

• When buying a new space heater, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory and is legal for use in your community.

• Install stationary space heaters and other heating appliances according to manufacturer’s instructions or applicable codes or have them installed by a professional.

• Plug electric-powered space heaters into an outlet with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord or power strip.

• Use the proper grade of the proper fuel for liquid-fueled space heaters and never use gasoline in any heater not approved for gasoline use. Refuel only outside and when the equipment is cool.

• In your fireplace or wood stove, use only dry, seasoned wood to avoid the build-up of creosote, an oily deposit that easily catches fire and accounts for most chimney fires and the largest share of home heating fires generally.

• Use only paper or kindling wood, not a flammable liquid, to start the fire. Do not use artificial logs in wood stoves.

• Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room. Allow fireplace and wood stove ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container, which is kept a safe distance from your home.

• Turn off space heaters whenever the room they are in is unoccupied or under circumstances when manufacturer’s instructions say they should be turned off. Portable space heaters are easy to knock over in the dark. They should be turned off when you go to bed, but make sure your primary heating equipment for bedrooms is sufficient to avoid risks to residents from severe cold.

• Do not use your oven to heat your home.

• Ensure fuel-burning equipment is only vented to the outside, venting is kept clear and unobstructed, and exit point is properly sealed around the vent, all of which is to make sure deadly carbon monoxide does not build up in the home.

• Inspect all heating equipment annually and clean as necessary. Test smoke alarms monthly; install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.