FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, space heaters are responsible for one third of home heating fires and about 80% of home heating fire deaths.
Since 2016, the Springfield Fire Department has responded to 106 residential house fires that were caused by a heating appliance. Portable space heaters have become a popular way to supplement central heating or heat one room.
If you use portable electric space heaters, the Fire Department encourages you to follow these tips and recommendations:
- Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory.
- Keep the heater at least 3 feet away people or anything that can burn.
- Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
- Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
- Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
- Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit.
- Keep children away from the space heater.
- Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.
- Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed.
“A working smoke alarm is your best way to be alerted of a fire, and alarms should be replaced every 10 years,” said Fire Chief David Pennington.
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Contact the Springfield Fire Department at [email protected] or 417-874-2300 to request a free smoke alarm. For media only: For more information, call the Springfield Fire Department media line at 417-874-2301.