Fire chiefs warn against using space heater to heat homes during the freezing weather
Fire chiefs warn against space heaters
With temperatures expected to remain near or below freezing through the weekend, area fire chiefs are urging residents to be safe, especially if they use space heaters to warm their homes.
Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton said he's witnessed multiple fires over the years that started with space heaters. Brewton Fire Chief Jeff Salter agreed, saying about 30 percent of house fires are due to space heaters.
"I don't like them," Stanton said of space heaters. "I've seen too many houses burned down that were started by space heaters."
Stanton and Salter said if space heaters are needed, people need to make sure they are at least 3 feet away from anything in the house, including beds and furniture. Both also agreed that if space heaters are used, they need to be plugged into a wall socket and not an extension cord.
"Extension cords should not be used for anything long term," Salter said.
Stanton also said if anyone needs a heater during these cold days and nights they can call the Flomaton Police Department at 251-296-5811 and tell the dispatcher to get in touch with him and he will make sure they have a heating source.
Stanton and Salter also said even without space heaters, subfreezing temperatures also create other fire hazards with heating sources and that everyone needs to make sure they have operating smoke detectors inside their homes.
Both fire departments can provide smoke detectors free of charge and can come to a home and install them if needed.
In the Brewton area, call the Brewton Fire Department at 251-867-7165 and in Flomaton, call the police department at 251-296-5811 and ask to be put in contact with Chief Stanton.
