Stay warm and stay safe when operating space heaters

When temperatures drop, house fire numbers rise, and Northport Fire Rescue wants to help ensure that doesn’t happen here.

According to the <a href=”https://www.nfpa.org/News%20and%20Research/Data%20research%20and%20tools/Building%20and%20Life%20Safety/Home%20Structure%20Fires” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>National Fire Protection Association</a>, heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in homes around the country, especially space heaters.

So how do you stay warm without catching your house on fire?

Northport Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Roger Potter said there are some simple steps you should follow.

“Make sure it has an automatic shutoff so if the space heater tips over, it has an automatic thermostat that shuts off on it,” Potter said. “Never leave it unattended when you leave the room or the house. Try to keep it about 3 to 4 feet away from children and pets within the house.”

In total, 81% of heating fire deaths involved stationary or portable space heaters, <a href=”https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/US-Fire-Problem/Heating-equipment” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>according to the NFPA</a>.