Page 3 - Safety Notes October 2020 Edition

October 2020 Volume 65

Heating Safely, continued...

Gas Furnaces Space Heater/Kerosene Heater
• Have a certified professional inspect your furnace each • Select a heater that’s safety tested and certified by a
year before the heating season. Make sure the inspection nationally recognized testing laboratory. Choose a model
includes the furnace, chimney, vents, and gas lines. with an automatic shut-off safety feature and a guard
• Clean or replace air filters regularly. around the flame or heating element.
• Make sure your furnace flame is mostly blue and steady. A • Operate the unit at least 36 inches away from the walls and
persistent yellow or wavy flame could indicate a problem. all combustible materials, including draperies, furniture,
• Routinely check for problem signs: stains or rust on vents bedding, clothing, etc. Make sure the heater is positioned
or chimney; soot or carbon deposits on the inside of on a level, flat, and nonflammable surface away from water.
the furnace; pilot light keeps going out; or furnace runs • If you have a fuel-fired heater, use ONLY the fuel
constantly to heat your home. recommended by the manufacturer. Refuel outdoors and
• If you hear or smell a considerable amount of gas, leave operate in a well-ventilated area. Kerosene heaters are
the house and contact your local gas supplier or 911 from a illegal in some communities, so check local ordinances.
neighbor’s phone. Remember; always follow manufacturer • If you have an electrical unit, make sure that the cord is
instructions regarding the installation, operation and intact (not frayed or damaged) and is out of the walkways.
maintenance of all supplemental heating appliances. • Never leave your heater unattended. Turn it off before
leaving the house or going to bed.
Don’t Forget Alarms and Detectors
• As a preventive measure, use smoke alarms and Carbon Additional Information:
Monoxide detectors. These should not however replace the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
proper installation, use, venting, and maintenance of your http://www.nfpa.org
fuel burning appliances. Some tips:
• Install at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home Consumer Product Safety Commission
and outside each sleeping area. Test every month and http://www.cpsc.gov
replace batteries twice a year.

• Install Carbon Monoxide detectors outside each sleeping For more safet informati res classes,

area. Self-test according to manufacturer’s instructions. safety activitie more; visit our website:
• Learn the difference between the sounds of the devices. utahsafetycouncil.org.

SAFETY VIOLATION!

Do images like this make you cringe? Can you identify

exactly what’s wrong, why and how to fix it? Let us know
what the “Safety Violation” is in this image (bonus points for
“Regulatory References”) and win! Winners will receive a prize
from the Utah Safety Council.

Email your response to safety@utahsafetycouncil.org and
put SAFETY VIOLATION! In the subject line to enter. Entries
must be received by the last day of the month and the winner
will be announced in Safety Notes.

Previous Spot the Safety Violation Winners:
• Kimberly Foster, Human Resource Analyst at West Valley City
• Daisy Diaz, Project Manager Assistant at RG Concrete
• Jerine Price, EHS Manager at TreeHouse Foods
• Lance Garner, Safety Coordinator at Ascend Staffing