Feds Issue Warning on Home Heating Dangers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Fire Administration issued an alert today on potential home heating dangers and how to avoid them, as more snow blankets the Midwest and is forecast to hit the East Coast next.

The safety alert comes after a massive propane recall this morning that included a warning of explosion risk.

An average of 33,300 fires and 180 deaths per year from 2005 to 2007 are attributed to home heating accidents. The number of home fires spikes in winter, with cooking and home heating the leading culprits, the CPSC said. The number of carbon monoxide deaths--mostly connected with heating systems and portable generators--has risen to an average of 184 per year in 2005 through 2007, up from 122 deaths per year in 1999 to 2001.