Don't use space heaters as main heating source this winter, fire officials warn
YOUNGSTOWN
Fire officials asked the media today to help spread the message about fire safety now that the winter-heating season is here.
Representatives of the State Fire Marshal’s office along with the American Red Cross and the Area Agency on Aging all said during news conference at the city’s main fire station downtown there is help available for people who need smoke detectors or help with heating so they do not have to rely on space heaters or other means of heating their homes that often lead to fires.
Frank Conway, State Fire Marshal prevention chief, said January and February are traditionally the months that see the most fire fatalities in the state. Last year, Conway said, 26 people died in fires in January. Overall in 2015, 122 people were killed in fires in the state, he added.
Conway urged people who struggle with their heating bills to see if they qualify for the Winter Crisis Program, which is part of the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP.
He said it is crucial because lots of fires that happen during the cold-weather months start because of space heaters or other sources of heating that are used the wrong way or malfunction.
“We don’t want anyone relying on just alternate heating sources for their homes,” Conway said.
Conway also pushed the use of smoke detectors, saying that the earlier someone knows there is a fire, the easier it is to get out and wait for help instead of being trapped.
Read more of the officials' advice in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.