Community Safety News:
According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half (48 percent) of home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January and February.
While more than two out of five (44 percent) of home heating fires involve space heaters, space heaters are involved in 86 percent of home heating fire deaths.
Anyone using a space heater to warm up, please be sure to plug all space heaters directly into a wall outlet and always turn it off when leaving the room or going to bed.
In addition:
- Make sure a recognized testing laboratory has tested your heater;
- Make sure your heater has an automatic shut-off, so if it tips over, it shuts off;
- Keep anything that can burn, like bedding, clothing, and curtains, at least 3 feet away from your heater;
- Place space heaters on a solid, flat surface; and
- Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
Find more information on winter heating and space heaters here: https://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/top-causes-of-fire/heating