Date of release: January 23, 2020
The Paducah Fire Department wants to share the following information about heating your home safely. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, home fires occur more often in the winter months than any other time of the year.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), while nearly half of home heating fires involve portable space heaters, space heaters are involved in 86% of home heating fire deaths.
Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention Greg Cherry says, “Most home heating fires could have been prevented by taking precautions. Avoid placing objects, especially flammable objects such as bedding, newspapers, magazines, clothing, and curtains, too close to a heating source. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from fireplaces, space heaters, wood stoves, candles, and radiators. Also, be sure to establish a three-foot child and pet-free zone around the heater, and never put a space heater in a child's room.”
Deputy Fire Marshal April Tinsman says, “I encourage everyone to make a fire escape plan for their home. Talk with your family about how to exit each room of the home and where to meet once outside. A fire escape plan is very important to discuss especially if your home has two or more stories or if you live in an apartment building or above the ground floor. Also, be aware of the items that you may need in case of an emergency. Keep the telephone, hearing aids, eyeglasses, and aids such as walkers, canes, or wheelchairs, nearby.”
To keep your family safe this winter season, the Paducah Fire Department encourages the public to follow these heating reminders:
- Plug only one heat-producing appliance, such as a space heater, into an electrical outlet at a time. Also, never use an extension cord or power strip with heat-producing appliances.
- Turn off space heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Make sure the heating appliance (space heater and/or kerosene heater) has an automatic shut-off so that that if it tips over, it shuts off.
- Never use an oven or stovetop to heat your home.
- Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected each year by a professional.
- If using a fireplace, keep a glass or metal screen in front of it to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out, put the fire out before going to bed or leaving the home, and properly store the ashes in a metal container with a lid at least three feet from the home.
- If you use natural gas or propane, install carbon monoxide alarms and test them monthly.
Additional fire safety information can be found at www.nfpa.org and www.usfa.fema.gov/.
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