Chesterfield Fire & EMS

Monthly Fire Safety Tips

Space heaters need three feet 

On January 15 and January 16, two fires occurred that were caused by combustibles placed too close to space heaters. It is during this time of the year that supplemental heaters become a prominent cause of residential fires, almost as common as cooking related fires. Supplemental heaters require some preventive measures be taken prior to their use:

1. If the heater is electric, make sure that the cord is in good condition
2. If the heater burns some type of fuel, make sure that it is burning clean. You should also install a carbon monoxide detector in the vicinity of the heater.
3. Make sure that no combustibles (anything that can burn when it comes in contact with a heat source: paper, curtains, bed linens, dried plants, and much more) are within three feet of the heater.  Some heaters may require more space due to the amount of heat that they put off.
4. Do not leave home with space heaters or supplemental heaters left on.
5. Keep space heaters away from the bathroom and other areas where they are prone to get wet.
6. As always, ensure that smoke detectors are installed and working properly.

     It is important to remember that we must be aware of those things that cause fires, especially when the probability of a fire occurring increases. We have had a mild winter thus far, but we still have the remainder of January, all of February, and a portion of March to make it through. You must do all that you can to prevent a fire from occurring in your home. With the increased number of residential fires comes an increase in the number of fire-related injuries and deaths. Be proactive, and save yourself the trauma of losing everything that you have, or having to live somewhere else indefinitely, separate space heaters and combustibles by no less than three feet

Prior Months Safety Tips