Observe the rules for operating stove heating in your house and at your dacha.

A heating stove is a key feature of almost every private house in rural areas. In 2023 alone, 14 fires occurred in the Lepel district due to violations of stove operating rules.

A heating stove is a key feature of almost every private house in rural areas. In 2023 alone, 14 fires occurred in the Lepel district due to violations of stove operating rules. And often this happens due to the carelessness of the person themselves. For a stove to bring only warmth and comfort, every owner must maintain it in a timely manner and not forget to operate it correctly.

Before the start of the heating season, each stove and chimney must be cleaned, repaired, as well as wall chimney channels within the premises, and especially the chimneys in the attic must be whitewashed with lime or clay mortar, so that on a white background, cracks appearing black from the smoke passing through them can be noticed. A metal (pre-stove) sheet measuring at least 50 by 70 cm must be nailed to the wooden floor in front of the firebox. To prevent overheating of the stove, it is recommended to fire it two to three times a day for no more than one and a half hours. Stove firing must be stopped 3 hours before going to bed. It is also important not to forget that it is forbidden to store and dry flammable materials on the stove surface, as they can ignite upon contact with the heated stove surface. Ash, coals, and slag removed from heating appliances and stoves must be doused with water until completely extinguished.

Under no circumstances should children be allowed to operate the stove, and do not use flammable liquids yourself to light it.

Take care of the safety of elderly parents. Stove fires often occur in houses where elderly people live. And the reason for this is not only the violation of fire safety rules and carelessness due to poor eyesight and memory. Due to their age, elderly owners cannot whitewash the stove, climb under the ceiling and seal cracks in the chimney, or clean it, and only their children, who do not always find time to visit and help, can take care of them. If your parents live in the village, take care of their safety: help them put their stove in order and install autonomous fire alarms in the living rooms. Remember how your parents once protected you from all sorts of troubles and misfortunes. Now they themselves need help and

adult children’s help is primarily relied upon.

A significant danger during the operation of heating equipment is presented by an invisible enemy – carbon monoxide. When using gas water heaters or stoves, it is necessary to remember that carbon monoxide has no color or smell. It is formed during any type of combustion and is also contained in exhaust gases. The first sign is that a person begins to feel a headache and suffocation. At high concentrations, loss of consciousness and paralysis occur. And if the gas concentration in the air is more than 1.2% – a person dies in a few seconds. In order not to get carbon monoxide poisoning, remember that you should not close the stove damper prematurely, i.e., until the coals have completely burned out. At the same time, the stove should be heated at least two hours before going to bed.

Observe fire safety rules – do not risk yourself and your property!