You turn on the TV and hear the weather man say that temperatures are dipping into the single digits and as always you say “honey make sure the windows are latched it’s going to get cold tonight”. Then you head into the garage or basement and grab the space heaters or perhaps you have them set up already near your pipes. You may even have a few set up to supplement your heat.
These seem like harmless things you have done in the past. However, never become complacent when it comes to fire safety. You should be asking yourself; do I have Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors, fresh batteries and a fire extinguisher? Have I thoroughly inspected the areas where I’m placing the heaters to ensure I haven’t overlooked something?
Tape, plastic ties and other materials used to secure insulation and pipe wraps can also succumbed to the cold temperature and crack, become loose or just fail. That can result in flammable material falling onto heat sources. Combustibles might be stored nearby, vaporize and ignite. These are items that can cause more damage than broken water lines. These are items which can cost lives.
According to FEMA
- An estimated 900 portable heater fires occur annually in the United States.
- Only 2 percent of residential building heating fires involve portable heaters, but these fires account for 25 percent of fatal residential building heating fires.
- Residential building portable heater fires peak in February (21 percent).
- Thirty-four percent of residential building portable heater fires occur in bedrooms. Of these fires, 23 percent are started by bedding such as blankets, sheets, and comforters.
- Fifty percent of the residential building portable heater fires occur because the heat source is too close to combustibles.
Keeping your primary heat source up a few degrees and running the water slightly are safe alternatives to space heaters. If it is necessary to use space heaters make sure you perform a thorough inspection of all areas prior to each use, make sure you have working extinguishers and at the very least smoke detectors and an emergency plan.
Residents of Hazleton PA and surrounding areas I would much rather correct damage caused by frozen plumbing than learn of my customers’ early demise for lack of some $10 items and a simple inspection.