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»Administration -
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·Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division -
»Emergency Preparedness -
»Fire Prevention Division -
·Fire Stations -
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·History -
·Mission Statement -
·Paid-On-Call FireFighters -
·Photo Gallery -
»Public Education -
·Scout Training Schedule - 2010 -
·Training -
·Updates & Achievements
Public Education
·Overview -
·Calling 9-1-1 -
·Candle Safety -
·Carbon Monoxide Detectors -
·Child Passenger Safety Seat -
·Dryer Fire Prevention -
·Exit Drills In The Home -
·Extension Cords -
·Fire Extinguishers -
·Fire Place Safety -
·Grilling Safety -
·Help Us Find You -
·Home Fire Safety Inspections -
·Kids Corner -
·Kitchen Safety -
·Move to the Right -
·Portable Generator Safety -
·Scald and Burn Care -
·Space Heater Safety -
·Smoke Alarms -
·Tornado Safety -
·Winter Safety -
·Meet the Staff
Plug in to Space Heater Safety
It happens every winter. The weather turns cold and people turn on the space heater to warm up. There's always someone who inadvertently starts a fire by putting the heater too close to combustibles such as furniture or draperies. Then there are the people who end up having fires because the heater is left on all night or the appliance tips over.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says heating devices are the leading cause of fires in the home during December, January and February. All kinds of space heating equipment are involved in fires in the home: portable electric heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces, and room gas heaters.
Rochester Hills is not exempt from our share of heating related fires. But these fires don't have to happen. Most fires with space heaters are preventable if key safety measures are followed. To ensure your safety, practice the following:
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Keep space heaters (both portable and fixed) at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including furnishings, bedding and clothing.
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Turn the heater off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
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Keep children and pets away from space heaters when in use.
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Make sure you have "tip over protection." This is a feature on your space heater that automatically shuts off the device if it tips over.
Heating equipment that burns fuel is a potential source of carbon monoxide (CO). CO is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that is created when fuel burns incompletely. Install CO alarms in your home to provide you with an early warning if CO is present.
So when the temperature drops, go ahead and use your heating appliances. We want you to be warm and cozy. But we also want to make sure you're safe.
The majority of home fires are preventable. Practice prevention and prevent a fire in your
home.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding home fire safety, please call the Rochester Hills Fire Department Fire Prevention Division at 248-656-4717.
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