Escambia County Fire Rescue Shares Space Heater and Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

With below-freezing temperatures forecasted beginning Sunday, Dec. 14, Escambia County Fire Rescue would like to encourage residents to practice space heater and carbon monoxide safety.

Space Heater Safety Tips

Home fires occur more in the winter months than any other time of year. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths and space heaters account for 4 out of 5 home heating fire deaths.

Follow these tips to stay safe while heating your home:

• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
  
• Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Never use an oven to heat your home.
• Close all bedroom doors before going to bed. Remember this phrase: Close before you doze!

For portable electric heaters:

• Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
• Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
• Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.
• Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord or power strip.
• Inspect for loose connections or cracked, damaged, or broken plugs, and replace before using.

Heating Fire Facts:

• Most home heating fire deaths (86%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.
• The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
• The leading factor contributing to ignition for home heating fire deaths (54%) was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding.
• Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas created when fuels like gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane oil and methane burn incompletely, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Exposure to carbon monoxide can have fatal results. Due to being invisible and odorless, carbon monoxide has been known as the "invisible killer."

Safety Tips:

• Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations of the home, including outside each sleeping area and every level of the home.
• Test carbon monoxide alarms monthly. If the alarm sound is low, replace the batteries.
• If a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, immediately move to a fresh air location and call 9-1-1.
• Make sure all vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear.
• If a vehicle is located inside a garage, make sure the garage door is open before starting the vehicle to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Only use gas or charcoal grills outdoors.
• Use generators outdoors, as they produce carbon monoxide.
• Never use a gas stove to warm a home, as it can produce carbon monoxide.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Headache
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Sleepiness
• Loss of muscle control
• Loss of consciousness

Those experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning should immediately get into fresh air and seek medical attention.

Practicing these home heating and carbon monoxide safety tips will help keep our community safe and warm during the winter months. Knowing what to do now is key to having a safe home. For more heating safety tips, fire safety information and carbon monoxide safety tips, visit NFPA.

Smoke Detectors Save Lives! Escambia County Fire Rescue is available to provide and install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors free of charge for residents. According to NFPA, a working smoke detector cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half. For information about obtaining a home smoke detector, call 850-595-HERO (4376) or request a smoke detector online through Ask MyEscambia. City of Pensacola residents may call 850-436-5200 for smoke detector installation assistance.