Tips on how to avoid space heater related fires

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Last winter, Ohio saw 108 fires involving space heaters, which is why the Ohio Division of State Fire Marshall is some tips to stay safe while staying warm.

Fire Prevention Bureau Chief Anita Metheny has several tips for staying warm and safe with auxiliary heat sources. Her first piece of advice is don’t believe everything that you read.

“My first statement for you is when it says ‘indoor/outdoor,’ and it takes a fuel, those are typically not safe to burn inside your house. I understand that the packaging says indoor, but it doesn’t mean it’s safe. Anything that burns a fuel can create carbon monoxide,” Metheny said. “Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. You won’t know it’s there. It will probably make you very sick, tired, fall asleep, and you won’t know what’s going on around you. ”

Metheny’s other tips include ensuring that your space heaters have at least three feet of clearance when in operation and not leaving them on all the time.

“Definitely do not leave space heaters on when you’re not home. It’s very, very dangerous. If you are going to purchase a space heater, if you have one, make sure it does have that tip-over protection,” Methany said. “Tip-over protection is just if something happens and it gets knocked over by an animal, a person, a kid, then it won’t continue to get hot and burn whatever surface it’s on. ”

Other safety tips include testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and replacing their batteries twice a year. If you use fireplaces and wood-burning stoves, make sure your chimneys and flues are professionally inspected and cleaned annually.