HOMEOWNER SUFFERS BURNS IN ROCK COUNTY, WISCONSIN FIRE AFTER HE KNOCKED OVER A KEROSENE LAMP AND TRIED TO FIGHT THE KEROSENE FIRE WITH WATER

HOMEOWNER SUFFERS BURNS IN ROCK COUNTY, WISCONSIN FIRE AFTER HE KNOCKED OVER A KEROSENE LAMP AND TRIED TO FIGHT THE KEROSENE FIRE WITH WATER

January 26, 2015

LaPRAIRIE TOWNSHIP, WISCONSIN (WKOW) -- One man suffered burns in a large garage fire Sunday night in Rock County.

The Rock County Sheriff's Office, along with the Village of Turtle Fire Department and the City of Janesville Fire and Police Departments were called to the 2300 Block of E. CTH O in LaPrairie Township just before 8:00 p.m. They found a garage fully engulfed in flames.
Fire crews had to evacuate homes in the surrounding area. Delavan Drive was closed to through traffic for about two hours.

Investigators determined the homeowner was home by himself working in the garage when he accidentally knocked over a Kerosene lamp, starting the fire. He filled containers with water from the house in an attempt to put the fire out. but received burns on his extremities and breathed in too much smoke. He's listed in stable condition. No one else was hurt.

Never use water on a fire unless you know what is burning.  Water conducts electricity causing the problem to spread and cause more shorting in the equipment.  Water will also move burning oil, gas, and other petroleum products, such as kerosene, into new areas to ignite.  Therefore, fighting the kerosene fire with water was an unfortunate mistake for this man.  A Class B extinguisher should have been used, instead.

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GENERAL HEATING SAFETY TIPS:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends the following safety tips for space heaters:

• Select a space heater with a guard around the flame area or the heating element to protect children and clothing.
• Keep children and pets away from space heaters.  Some heaters get very hot.  Children should not be permitted to either adjust the controls or move the heater.
• When selecting a heater, look for one that has been certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
• Buy a heater that is the correct size for the area you want to heat.  The wrong size heater could produce more pollutants and may not be an efficient use of energy.
• Read and follow the manufacturer's operating instructions, and make sure all members of the household understand how to operate the heater safely.
• Keep doors open to the rest of the house if you are using an un-vented fuel-burning space heater.  This helps to prevent pollutant build-up and promotes proper combustion.  Even vented heaters require ventilation for proper combustion.
• Never leave a space heater on when you sleep or leave the area.  This is a carbon monoxide and fire hazard.
• Never use or store paints, solvents or flammable liquids around a space heater.  Flammable vapors can ignite.
• Be aware that mobile homes require specially designed heating equipment.  Only electric or vented fuel-fired heaters should be used.
• Place heaters at least three feet away from objects such as bedding, furniture and drapes.
• Never use heaters to dry clothes or shoes.
• Do not place heaters where towels or other objects could fall on the heater and start a fire.
• Equip your home with at least one smoke alarm on each floor and outside sleeping areas.
• Install a carbon monoxide alarm that meets the requirements of the current UL standard 2034 or the IAS 6-96 standard in the hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home.
• Keep at least one dry-powder operative, ABC-type fire extinguisher in the home at all times.
• Keep areas around heat sources free of papers and trash.
• Develop a fire escape plan before a fire occurs.  Be certain that all members of the household understand the plan and are able to carry out the plan in case of emergency.
• Be sure the plan includes a predetermined meeting place outside the house.
• If you clothing does catch fire, don't run!  Drop down immediately, cover face with hands, and roll to smother the flames.  Teach your family how to do this.

·         Have annual safety checks on all home-heating equipment.

SAFETY TIPS FOR KEROSENE SPACE HEATERS

• Never use gasoline in kerosene heaters.  Even very small quantities of gasoline in the heater tank can cause a fire.  Kerosene should never be stored or carried in a container that has contained gasoline because the residual gasoline is enough to increase the flammability of the kerosene.
• Only use 1-K kerosene in kerosene heaters.  Kerosene should be purchased from a dealer who can certify that it is 1-K grade kerosene.  The fact that kerosene is "water clear" does not ensure that it is 1-K.
• Never fill the fuel tank of a kerosene heater beyond the full mark.  As the fuel warms, it expands and could spill and cause a fire.
• Do not attempt to remove the fuel tank, or refuel the heater when it is operating or hot.  The heater should not be moved while it is operating.  Refuel the heater out of doors.
• If flare-up or uncontrolled flaming occurs, do not attempt to move the heater.  If you heater is equipped with a manual shut-off switch, activate the switch to turn off the heater.  Do not attempt to extinguish a kerosene-heater fire with water or blankets.  If activation of the shut-off switch does not extinguish the flame, leave the area and immediately call the fire department.

• Keep kerosene stored outside in a sealed blue container labeled "Kerosene."

SAFETY TIPS FOR PORTABLE ELECTRIC SPACE HEATERS:

• Portable electric heaters made after 1991 include many new performance requirements to enhance safety.
• A tip-over switch on some models will turn the heater off when it is tipped until it is turned upright again.
• Some new heaters also include indicator lights to let users know that the heater is plugged in or is turned on.
• Some manufacturers include safety controls like infrared or proximity sensors that can turn a heater off when objects come too close, or when children or pets are near.
• Use heaters on the floor.  Never place heaters on furniture.
• Do not use heaters in wet or moist places, such as bathrooms, unless certified for that purpose.
• Do not hide cords under rugs or carpets.  Placing anything on top of the cord could cause the cord to overheat, and can cause a fire.
• Do not use an extension cord unless absolutely necessary.  Using a light-duty, household extension cord with high-wattage appliances can start a fire.  If you must use an extension cord, it must be marked #14 or #12 A WG; this tells the thickness or gauge of the wire in the cord.
• Be sure the plug fits snugly in the outlet.  Since a loose plug can overheat, have a qualified repairman replace the worn-out plug or outlet.  If the plug feels hot, unplug the heater and have a qualified repairman check for problems. If the heater and its plug are found to be working properly, have the outlet replaced.
• If a heater is used on an outlet protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and the DFCI trips, do not assume the GFCI is broken.  Because GFCIs protect the location where leakage currents can cause a severe shock, stop using the heater and have it checked, even if it seems to be working properly.

·         Broken heaters should ONLY be checked and repaired by a qualified appliance service center.

SAFETY TIPS FOR WOOD OR COAL BURNING HEATERS

• Existing building codes and manufacturer's instructions must be followed during installation.
• Buy wood-burning stoves that are certified as meeting EPA emission standards.
• Check chimney and stovepipes frequently during the heating season for creosote build-up and have them cleaned annually.  Also make sure you have an adequate supply of fresh air.
• Stoves must be placed on an approved floor protector or fire resistant floor, and must be located at lease 18 inches from the wall and three feet from draperies, furniture and other combustible materials.
• Do not burn trash or anything other than the proper fuel.  In a wood-burning heater, use only dry, seasoned wood and not Christmas trees or other highly volatile wood products.

• Use a metal container for ash removal.