By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



With temperatures across the southeast expected to plummet later this week, area residents are likely stocking up on firewood or purchasing space heaters to keep the chill from their homes.

Meteorologists are predicting lows of 10 to 15 degrees by Friday morning in the Birmingham metro area. Lower elevations could see lows in the single digits. What families may not realize is that turning up the heat may expose them to an increased risk of home heating fires.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), nearly half of all home-heating fires occur during the winter months. On average, NFPA research shows that heating equipment is involved in roughly 70,000 reported U.S. home structure fires, with associated loss of more than 600 civilian deaths, almost 1,600 civilian injuries and more than $1 billion in direct property damage.

Gardendale Fire Marshal Rick Smith recently offered up a variety of home heating tips that can warm a home while also keeping residents out of harm’s way.

“While these numbers are frightening, nearly all of these fires are preventable,” Smith said. “We can reduce the number of home heating fires in our community be taking some simple precautions and using heating equipment properly.”

Smith said families should take a common sense approach to heating their homes, especially when it comes to fireplaces and space heaters.

Those who use a fireplace should have it inspected each year and cleaned if necessary. Other measures include using a sturdy fireplace screen and making sure ashes are cool before being disposed of.

When it comes to space heaters, the same amount of caution should be exhibited. According to the NFPA, space heaters accounted for one-third (32 percent) of the home heating fires and three-fourths (73 percent) of home heating fire deaths in 2005.

Smith said the important thing to remember is space heaters need space. They should be kept at least three feet away from anything flammable, including paper, bedding or furniture.

Many new heaters include automatic shut-off features that are activated if a heater is turned over. However, Smith said heaters should be turned off upon going to bed or leaving a room.

Other home heating tips include:

• Plug power cord only into outlets with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.

• Inspect for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections. Replace before using.

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home so that when one sounds, they all sound. • Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

• Install and maintain a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.

• Never use an oven to heat your home.

For more information, visit www.nfpa.org or contact Smith at 631-6660.