Space Heater Sparks Surge Protector Short In Parsippany

PARSIPPANY, NJ - A space heater caused an electrical short and a smoke condition in Parsippany last week and first reponders are reminding residents to be careful of their usage.

Members of Parsippany District 5 Fire Department and the Lake Hiawatha Fire Department, Parsippany Fire District 4 were dispatched to a reported smoke condition in a residence and the source was a multi-plug adapter that had a surge protector plugged into it which was powering an electric space heater.

Space heaters can be very dangerous and can become very dangerous without warning, officials said. The best way to prevent these types of fires are to not use space heaters at all. In the event you have to, the following are some important things to remember regarding space heaters:

• Every manufacturer has instructions on the proper use of their device
• Use on a hard / flat surface
• Don't use near anything that is combustible or flammable
• Never plug them into an extension cord, surge protector, or multi-plug adapter
• NEVER leave your home or go to bed while a space heater is on
• Preferably, don't use them

Parsippany fire officials noted that winter hasn't been too bad so far as it has compared to prior years, but noted the weather can change rapidly.

"Ensuring that the proper heating units in your home are working will eliminate the need to use a space heater," they posted to social media.

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