SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Fire Department has responded to several fires caused by space heaters in the last week.
And with a cold front expected Monday night, SAFD officials are urging residents to remember that heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths.
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SAFD has the following safety tips for dealing with space heaters:
- Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire. Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater.
- Inspect heaters for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections before each use. If frayed, worn or damaged, do not use the heater.
- Never leave a space heater unattended. Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat and should never be used to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes.
- Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture or carpet, which can overheat and start a fire.
- Unplug and safely store the heater when it is not in use.
Other home heating safety tips to remember:
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
- Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms to avoid the risk of poisoning.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, such as the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- Have a 3-foot "kid-safe zone" around open fires and space heaters.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.