GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — With fall temperatures beginning to drop, some may have begun to bring out their space heater if they are holding out on turning on the heat.
Fire officials are warning, however, that adding some extra warmth should come with extra precautions to keep one's household and oneself safe.
The Grand Rapids Fire Department says they see an increase in fires in the winter months.
"When cold weather takes over, that's when we start having a problem for the fire service," Grand Rapids Fire Captain Bill Smith said.
Smith said that cooking remains the number one reason for house fires. However, running alternative heaters, combined with electrical concerns, also adds a large risk in the winter.
"Where we're having a problem is when these heaters that draw a lot of amps from your electrical service circuitry within your home, is people are not paying attention to what their home is saying," Smith said. "When you start tripping breakers or you're blowing fuses and you're not taking the appropriate action on that, and you're just allowing that heater to use that circuit, you're going to cause a problem for yourself."
Space heaters should have at least three feet of open space around them, with flammable objects being well away from the heat.
Smith stressed that such devices should always be plugged directly into the wall, saying that using power strips, multiplugs and extension cords can all be a fire risk when used for heaters.
"The components within those multistrips are not built, they're not engineered to use that type of amperage unless you have a heavy duty one," Smith said. "And even then, we don't advise using multiplugs or extension cords with space heaters."
Smith also explained that carbon monoxide kills between 200 and 300 Americans every year. Given such a risk, he urged people to make sure homes have a working carbon monoxide detector alongside a smoke alarm.
"[Carbon monoxide is] odorless, it's colorless," Smith said. "Any type of fuel-driven appliance that you have in your home, or even a generator outside of your home, can cause carbon monoxide issues."
"People like to start their vehicles, let them run, get them warm," Smith said. "Take them out of the garage if you have to do that."
Smith's two greatest tips to prevent fires: "number one, make sure you have working smoke alarms in your homes, and number two, make sure that you are standing by your pan in the kitchen."
With October 8-14 being Fire Prevention Week, GRFD also encourages people to close their bedroom door when sleeping to slow the spread of any potential fire and prevent smoke and heat from reaching the room. Such could provide more time to find an escape and save lives.
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