As the temperatures continue to cool down coming up on this year’s winter season, more and more people will be utilizing space heaters to help keep themselves warm from the harsh environment outside. However, introducing a space heater into your home can become a fire hazard if not used properly and safely. Assistant Fire Chief at the Monmouth Fire Department Craig Cozadd offers several fire safety tips for people who plan on regularly using a space heater this winter, as well as those who will have a live tree for Christmas this year.
“Space heaters right now are a really big thing. Make sure you are not plugging those into extension cords and power strips. Watering the live Christmas trees to make sure they don’t dry out. Make sure that if candles are lit that you always put them out before you leave. It is a busy time of year for people, furnaces are kicking on, we see that ramp up for carbon monoxide calls and also fire calls. We are prepared every day we come into work to go to whatever we are going to have to handle.”
In addition to making sure to never plug your space heater into an extension cord, the Electrical Safety Foundation advises everyone to place space heaters on level flat surfaces, and to always unplug and store your space heater when it is not in use.
