Amica offers safety tips on home heating

Spring may be here, but in much of the country, it doesn’t feel like it.


Even in March, weather can be unpredictable, making the home the safest place to be during a snowstorm, Amica Insurance said in a recent release.But even the home there can be dangers. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that next to cooking, heating mishaps cause the most house fires in the country, Amica said.

Amica is offering tips via the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety for safe heating in these last cold months.

If using a generator, allow plenty of space on all sides of the generator for proper airflow. Do not use a generator indoors or near windows, vents or air intakes. Carbon monoxide inside enclosed areas can be dangerous. When using a generator, which can produce carbon monoxide, leave the building and get fresh air if you begin to feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If using a wood stove, fireplace or space heater, do not use lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline to start fires, the release said. They can cause large flareups which can lead to fires. Never leave a heat source of any kind unattended. Keep at least a 36-inch clearance between any heat source and any combustible material.