FIRE SAFETY

FIRE SAFETY
Portable heaters
State Fire Marshal Robert Rielage is asking residents to "Cover Your Bases & amp; Strike Out Fire" during National Fire Prevention Week. Today, he offers tips on preventing portable heater fires.
The numbers: Half of all home heating fires are caused by wood stoves and portable heaters. In 2000, alternative heating devices caused 1,453 residential fires in Ohio, causing 33 resident injuries, 29 firefighter injuries, nine deaths and $13.3 million damage.In Columbiana County, there were 26 such fires with one resident injury and $64,000 damage. In Mahoning County, there were 19 such fires with three firefighter injuries and $38,000 damage. In Trumbull County, there were 31 such fires, causing $303,000 damage.Causes: Owners of such devices must pay greater attention to safety precautions than with central heating systems.Prevention: Follow all manufacturers' instructions.Never use gasoline to start a fire or fuel a kerosene heater.Use the 3-foot rule: Measure a safe distance between heating equipment and anything that can burn, including people and pets.Never place a heater where it blocks an exit from a room or home.Turn off all heating equipment before sleeping or leaving the home.
Source: Ohio Department of Commerce,Division of State Fire Marshal