Keeping Safe Using Additional Sources of Heat

2/21/2022 (Permalink)

The cold February weather will soon be slowly fading away to the warm breezes of springtime. 

We’re not out of the woods yet here in the North East.  Here at SERVPRO of White Plains, we have recently seen an increase in fires in homes and apartments. While the temperatures have been well below freezing for many days, many people are turning to additional sources to help keep them warm. 

Fireplaces, wood stoves, and space heaters have been used often this month.  

While most often these extra heating sources are non-problematic, there have been several unfortunate cases of fires. Many from additional heat sources such as space heaters, wood burning stoves and fireplaces. 

We have found a few tips doing a bit of research and here they are: 

Never use a space heater with an extension cord. Plug directly in to the wall outlet preferably where nothing else is plugged in. 

Keep at least a 3 ft area around the space heater clear. No curtains, toys, stuffed animals, clothing etc.  

Set an alarm on your phone to turn it off intermittently 

For a wood burning stove: Keep a 3-foot area around the perimeter free of any household items, curtains, etc. Keep your Pets and kids away too! 

Fire Places: Always keep the screen/window in place Keep kids and pets away. Have your chimney swept annually before you use your fireplace.  

Bank ashes in a metal can with a top, and keep outside of your home far enough away from the structure. The experts suggest at least 10 feet. Ashes can often have hot spots in them and can reignite. 

Never plug more than 1 heat producing appliance into an outlet.  

Check your smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide monthly.  

Spring is not far off, we’ve got this! 

For those who appreciate a non scientific approach to weather – Pumxsutawney Phil did see his shadow on February 2nd – predicting 6 more weeks of winter... Hang on folks, we are in the home stretch!