An important reminder from our Fire Marshall, particularly during this extra cold snap:
"While doing inspections I've noticed a lot of portable heaters being used because of the cooler weather. Most of them are plugged into extension cords, which isn't allowed and isn't safe."
From the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI)
Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the United States. More than 65,000 home fires are attributed to heating equipment each year. These fire result in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries and millions of dollars in property damage.
Portable electric space heaters can be a convenient source of supplemental heat for your home in cold weather. Unfortunately, they can pose significant fire and electric shock hazards if not used properly. Fire and electrical hazards can be caused by space heaters without adequate safety features, space heaters placed near combustibles, or space heaters that are improperly plugged in.
Safety should always be a top consideration when using space heaters. Here are some tips for keeping your home safe and warm when it’s cold outside:
Firefighters said heating elements in a space heater can get up to more than 500°F to 600°F. They reminded residents that a space heater should only be plugged directly into the wall, and always keep an eye on it when it's in use.
"A lot of these fires, kind of have a common theme," said Rahe. "Things were left unattended."
