5 Fires In 4 Days: Home Heating Safety Tips In Cold Temps

MILLERSVILLE, MD —Five house fires in four days prompted safety warnings from the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. The serious fires the department responded to between Thursday night and Sunday displaced 19 people from their homes and did more than $700,000 in damage.

While the causes of some of these fires are still under investigation, fire officials said that December, January, and February are the months with the most fires caused by home heating. With low temperatures expected to drop into the 20s through Saturday night, officials offered safety tips to keep you and your family safe:

• When using portable unvented fuel-fired heaters, such as kerosene heaters, make sure to use only the recommended fuel specified in the owner’s manual and NEVER use gasoline.
• If you find it necessary to use an electric space heater, use only one that has been approved by an authorized testing laboratory such as UL.
• Keep all portable space heaters at least three feet away from anything combustible.
• If heating equipment fails, do not use kitchen stoves or ovens to supply heat. These devices are not designed for that purpose and the chance of a fire improves greatly.
• When using fireplaces, wood stoves or pellet stoves; be sure these heat sources have been installed and properly serviced by trained technicians according to state and local codes, allowing them to work at peak efficiency and lower the risk of a catastrophic failure.
• Have the chimney cleaned and inspected before use.
• If a fire occurs in your home, close the doors behind you as you evacuate, call 9-1-1 and never go back inside the home. Tell arriving first responders if anyone is still inside.

SEE ALSO:

Smoke Alarm Saves Family Of 5 From Annapolis Fire

Severna Park Family Displaced When Fire Destroys House

Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County Fire Department