Pensacola Fire Department Urges Residents to Practice Space Heater Safety 

With extreme cold weather forecast through the holiday weekend, Pensacola Fire Department would like to urge residents to practice space heater safety and know the potential risks associated with home heating equipment. 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. 

"Most heating fires can be prevented from happening by following the safety tips below," said Fire Marshal Annie Bloxson. "We encourage residents to replace the battery in their smoke alarms twice a year when time changes, unless you have a 10 year battery life smoke alarm. We advise to replace the 10 year battery smoke alarms every 10 years. Please contact us at 850-436-5200 to schedule an appointment for smoke alarm installation. This simple act can help save lives."

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.
• Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
• 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.

For portable electric heaters:

• Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
• 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.
• Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.

Heating Fire Facts:

• Most home heating fire deaths (81%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.
• The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (25%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
• Half of the home heating fire deaths were caused by having heating equipment to close too things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing mattresses or bedding.
• Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.

Practicing these home heating 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 and fire safety information, visit NFPA. Click here for a printable fire safety checklist.

Smoke alarms save lives! For information about obtaining a free home smoke alarm, please call 850-436-5200 (City of Pensacola residents only). Escambia County residents may call 850-595-HERO (4376) for smoke alarm installation assistance.