As cold weather sets in, Missouri residents are trying to stay warm. For the month of January, St. Louis boasts an average low of 29°F, so many people crank up the heat or, to save on energy bills, turn on their fireplace or space heater. Whenever homeowners use supplemental heating devices like fireplaces or heaters, they must be aware of the potential fire hazard.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in U.S. homes. Local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 52,050 fires involving heating equipment each year in 2012-2016, accounting for 15% of all reported home fires during this time. These fires resulted in annual losses of 490 civilian deaths, 1,400 civilian injuries, and $1 billion in direct property damage.”
In 2015 in Missouri, seven deaths occurred over a period of five days in connection with supplemental heating devices. Just last year, a Morgan County home nearly caught fire due to a plug-in heater. Thankfully, the homeowner had a smoke alarm and was able to quickly call the local fire department, who resolved the problem before the heating unit burst into flames.
The Missouri Office of the State Fire Marshal and the National Fire Protection Association provide the following tips to use heating equipment safely:
- Always have a working smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm if using supplemental heating devices.
- Turn off portable heaters whenever leaving the room or going to bed.
- Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from the heating source whether it be a fireplace, electric heater, furnace, or wood stove. This three-foot safety zone includes furniture, drapes, clothing, and electronics.
- If possible, plug space heaters directly into the wall outlet because many extension cords and power strips can not handle the energy load of a heater. If an extension cord is necessary, use the shortest possible heavy-duty cord of 14-gauge wire or larger. Always read and follow any manufacturer’s instructions for the extension cord.
- Never place an electrical cord under a rug. The cord will build heat and could catch the rug on fire.
- Every year, have a qualified professional clean and inspect heating equipment and chimneys.
- Buy a space heater with a tip-over safety switch that automatically turns off the heater if the unit is tipped over.
- Never use an oven or other cooking devices to heat a home
Homeowners who have experienced a house fire understand how devastating the fallout can be. Extinguishing the fire is only the beginning; cleaning up afterward can be a massive effort. After the first responders have left, fire victims need professional help to restore their homes so that they can return to their normal lives. The compassionate experts at St. Louis Cleaning & Restoration are specialists in fire damage restoration. They come alongside people to help recover and restore fire-damaged homes. The St. Louis Cleaning & Restoration team removes smoke and chemical odors, eliminates soot, minimizes any water damage, and stabilizes the environment through dehumidification.
Since 1991, St. Louis Cleaning & Restoration has served the community with industry-leading cleaning and restoration services. The company offers remediation and clean-up for fire, water, storm, and smoke damage. Residential and commercial services include carpet cleaning, area rug cleaning, upholstery cleaning, air duct cleaning, tile and grout cleaning and sealing, range hood cleaning, and office cubicle panel cleaning. Additional services include document recovery, gum and graffiti removal, content drying and storage, and trauma scene clean-up.
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For more information about St. Louis fire damage restoration, visit the St. Louis Cleaning & Restoration website at https://stlouiscleaningandrestoration.com.
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