Hamilton County continues to experience dangerous cold temperatures which often mean people using additional heating sources to warm their homes, Hamilton County officials said.
From using space heaters, to using their chimneys – Emergency Management officials say putting comfort before safety can be deadly. “As temperatures continue to fall, people are looking for additional heat sources to heat their home and as a result, safety gets pushed aside”, said Director Tony Reavley, Hamilton County Emergency Management/Homeland Security.
Director Reavley suggests space heaters should be at least three feet away from all combustibles. Clothing, furniture and curtains can easily catch fire from a space heater. If you are using a chimney, please make sure your chimney has been inspected by chimney professionals to check for creosote build-up and bird/animal nests which can contribute to start a house fire. “We also want to encourage everyone to check their smoke detectors. Make sure they are working properly. Have you changed your batteries? Smoke detectors do save lives.” says Dir. Reavley.
Hamilton County EMA officials encourage pet owners to bring pets inside out of the frigid temperatures. "Check on the elderly. If you have to go outside, be prepared. Dress in layers to keep warm. Staying warm in this cold weather can be a tough task if your home is hard to heat," officials said. "Space heaters cause one-third of home heating fires and four out of five home heating fire deaths. Protect your family: if you're heating your home with a space heater or chimney this winter, take a few moments to review these
safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration."