Stay Warm, But Stay Safe

December 9, 2010

With  cold temperatures forecast for the next several nights, Escambia County urges residents to take safety precautions while trying to stay warm, specifically when using space heaters. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the winter months, and trails only cooking equipment in home fires year-round.

According to the National Fire Protection Association annual fire department survey, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 64,100 reported home structure fires in the United States in 2006. These fires accounted for 16% of all home fires and were responsible for an estimated 540 deaths, roughly 1,400 injuries and $943 million in direct property damage. With this in mind, Escambia County would like to offer a few safety tips involving heating equipment:

  • Properly inspect all heating equipment for frayed cords or exposed elements before use.
  • Space heaters need space. Keep heaters at least three feet away from all furniture, drapes, clothing and other combustibles.
  • Use only heaters designed for use in the home. Never use cooking appliances, such as ovens, or any heaters designed for outdoor usage indoors.
  • Only use heaters with safety features such as cut-off switches that turn them off if they accidentally tip over and those units with heater element guards that prevent combustible materials from contacting the heating element.
  • Never leave space heaters unattended. Turn them off when you leave the room or go to bed.
  • Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
  • Keep heaters and their cords along with extension cords away from high traffic areas.
  • When buying a new space heater, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory.
  • Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside every bedroom. Test the batteries every month and change them at least once a year.
  • If you have gas appliances, install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.

Alternative Heating Fire Safety Life-Saving Tips

  • Allow your heater to cool before refueling and only refuel outdoors.
  • Fill your heater with only crystal clear, K-1 kerosene, not gasoline or camp stove fuel as both explode easily.
  • Keep the fire in the fireplace with a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs.
  • Carefully follow manufacturers’ installation and maintenance instructions.
  • Remember it’s always safer to add more blankets on your bed than to use a space heater while sleeping.
  • Electric blankets can be a serious fire hazard if defected or used improperly. Check your electric blanket for any damage from fraying, creasing or general wear and tear. Electric blankets that are more than 10 years old should be replaced, and never use a wet blanket.
  • In case of a fire, stay low to the ground, beneath the smoke, and crawl to an exit using your escape plan.

Actions should be taken to prepare for this and future cold weather events. Remember the “5 Ps” of cold weather preparedness:

  • Protect People
  • Protect Plants
  • Protect Pets
  • Protect Exposed Pipes
  • Practice Fire Safety

Escambia County encourages everyone to follow these safety tips. For more information on cold weather hazards click here.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News