Heating Safety in North Florida

1/14/2021 (Permalink)

Nearly 75% of deaths caused by home heating equipment involved portable space heaters.

Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires during the winter months, and the second leading cause of home fires annually. Heating equipment includes fireplaces, wood stoves, portable space heaters, and fixed space heaters. Nearly three-quarters of all deaths attributed to home heating equipment fires involve portable space heaters.

Space Heaters

Be careful with space heaters.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, space heaters are involved in 74 percent of fire-related deaths. The best way to prevent a home fire caused by a space heater is to purchase one with an emergency cut-off so that it will automatically shut off if tipped over or accidentally knocked down. Otherwise, if it falls on the carpeting and does not turn off, it could easily ignite a fire.

Never leave space heaters unattended. And make sure you place your heater on a flat, level, non-flammable surface such as ceramic tile rather than on a carpet. Do not place space heaters near curtains, bedding or anything flammable, and make sure you are plugging the space heater into a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) system, so that if a malfunction does occur, the electricity will automatically turn off.

Also,

• Maintain a 36 inch clearance between space heaters and combustible items
• Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep 

These tips from SERVPRO of Fernandina Beach/Jacksonville Northeast will help to keep you safe from heating fires this winter. Call us at 904.729.2401 if we can be of service.