MOSES LAKE — With the weather cooling off, lots of people will be turning on their heat in the coming weeks for the first time in months. That can bring a risk of fire, according to state and local officials. 

According to a 2021 report from the U.S. Fire Administration, heating system fires were the second-leading cause of home fires. Last year in Washington state, there were 192 reported fires and over $12 million in losses resulting from central heating system fires, the fire marshal’s office wrote in a statement. The report included homes heated by natural gas, oil, electricity and heat pumps, according to a statement from the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office. 

Here in the Columbia Basin, where most homes use electrical heat, central heating can cause fires that don’t threaten life or property but can be scary and unpleasant anyway. 

“What we see the bulk of is, people haven't changed their filters out so they get dirty from the Basin dirt, and … that can start a fire,” said Grant County Fire District 3 fire marshal Bob Horst.  “It's not necessarily something that's going to cause a major fire, but it's pretty scary for people, because being in your central heating system, it pumps that smoke into the whole house.” 

Horst added that sort of fire mostly stays contained in the heating unit.

A much greater danger comes from baseboard and space heaters, Horst said. 

“There's usually at least one a year, people are using propane heaters inside to try and supplement heat, so you have the carbon monoxide danger from that,” he said. “(Because it’s) a portable heater, sometimes people put them too close to stuff and catch bedding or furniture or things on fire. They're not approved for indoor heating, so it's a combination of the carbon monoxide poisoning and the heat itself.” 

Baseboard heaters can also be a hazard, especially the first time they’re turned on for the season. 

“Before they turn on their heat for the year, (people should) just make sure couches are pulled away from those,” Horst said. “They forget that there's a wall heater or base heater, and everybody's living life and sometimes those chairs and couches can get pushed up against those throughout the year.” 

Folks who use fireplaces, either for heating or for the sheer joy of a crackling fire, should make sure their chimneys have been cleaned out before building their first fire, Horst said. 

The State Fire Marshal’s Office suggest these fire safety tips when using central heating systems: 

• Furnaces should be inspected, cleaned and serviced every year by a licensed professional to ensure safe and reliable operation.
• Replace or clean filters regularly to ensure proper airflow and to prevent overheating.
• Keep vents and flues unobstructed to ensure proper ventilation and prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide.
• If the pilot light of your gas furnace goes out, allow five minutes or more for the gas to clear, then follow the manufacturer’s instructions for relighting the pilot. 

• Install and maintain smoke alarms in every sleeping area and on every level of the building.
• Install and maintain a carbon monoxide detector and regularly check for gas leaks. If you smell gas, turn off the system if possible, and exit the area immediately. Upon exiting, call 911.
• If using portable heaters In lieu of central heating, keep a 3-foot radius clear of children, pets and combustible objects. Ensure the portable heater is equipped with automatic shut off should it get tipped over. Turn off portable heaters and unplug them when leaving the room or going to bed. 

    Space heaters can make a good supplement to a home’s heating system, but make suyre the area around them is clear of debris and furniture.