As we are trying to keep warm this winter, many of us will be using items like space heaters. The American Red Cross is reminding you of the dangers that can come from using alternate heat sources.
Dan Tobin, Communications Director with the Western Pennsylvania region of the Red Cross, say alternative forms of heating, like space heaters, cause a good number of fires in home.
Tobin said, “Every year in Western Pennsylvania we respond to roughly 1400 disaster cases, helping just over 3,000 people. The bulk of those cases are home fires. Pretty much now through Spring, you see a spike in fires. Many of those fires are caused by home heaters, space heaters, and alternate heating sources. People try to keep warm and don’t take the proper precautions.”
He told our newsroom that there are safety precautions that you can take with space heaters and fireplaces.
- Keep items at least 3 feet or more away from heaters. ( curtains, rugs, paper, matches, bedding, furniture, clothing, carpets, and rugs)
- Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended, and use a glass or metal fire screen to keep fire and embers in the fireplace.
- Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, and chimneys inspected annually by a professional, and cleaned if necessary.
- If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs, or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord or power strip.
- Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
For more tips you can visit, www.redcross.org/homefires or by downloading the free American Red Cross Emergency App from your devices’ app store.
Written By: Tracey Morgan
Photo by goblinbox_(queen_of_ad_hoc_bento)
