Arctic Air This Weekend Leads to Safety Reminders

Frigid temperatures are to sweep across the state this weekend, and forecasters are predicting the cold air to linger into next week. The cold air means that furnaces will be working harder to keep us comfortable, and some people might be inclined to use supplemental heat sources such as space heaters and electric blankets.

The Effingham Fire Department would like to remind everyone to pay extra attention to home fire safety during this period of cold weather. According to the National Fire Protection Association, December, January and February are the peak months for home heating fires. Space heaters are the type of equipment most often involved in home heating equipment fires, accounting for more than two of every five fires (44%), as well as the vast majority of deaths and injuries in home fires caused by heating equipment.

Effingham Fire Chief Bob Tutko said, "While we do not recommend the use of space heaters, if you do utilize a space heater, make sure the space heater is plugged directly into a wall outlet and not an extension cord. The power required to operate a space heater is often higher than the rating of an extension cord, which will cause the extension cord to melt and start a fire. In addition, your space heater should have a UL label and be equipped with a tip-over / shut off feature. If you have an outdated space heater or one without a UL label it should be discarded. Remember space heaters need space - make sure space heaters have at least three feet of clearance – and don’t let bedding or curtains come in contact with space heaters, which can increase the likelihood of a fire."

Carbon Monoxide is also a concern this time of year. Carbon Monoxide is a byproduct of combustion when natural gas, propane or wood is used as a fuel. Tutko said, "Carbon Monoxide is odorless and tasteless and that is why a properly operating Carbon Monoxide Detector in your home is important. These should be placed inside sleeping rooms to alert you of a potential Carbon Monoxide issue. Carbon Monoxide Detectors work differently than smoke detectors and should not be placed near furnaces, stoves or water heaters. Placing Carbon Monoxide Detectors close to these items can actually shorten the life of your Detector. Make sure to test your Smoke Detectors. You should have a Smoke Detector on every level of your home and outside the common sleeping areas to insure you hear the detector activate."

If you have not had your furnace inspected in a while, this would be a good time to have a qualified technician check the furnace to insure it is operating efficiently and safely. If your furnace does fail, contact a qualified HVAC technician, and do not use the stove or oven for heat as this could lead to a fire.

Finally, remember to practice your family home safety plan and check your home for fire hazards such as material stored too close to furnaces, stoves or hot water heaters, a few minutes now can make a world of difference in protecting your family during this period of unusually cold weather.