Staying safe while keeping warm

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - In your attempts to keep warm, it’s important to also stick with safe methods of heating.

According to the National Fire Protection Association heating equipment is the number one cause of house fires in the United States, and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates over 21,000 fires are caused by space heaters each year.

Hastings fire Marshall Anthony Murphy said when using a space heater there are a few things to keep an eye out for.

“Keeping an eye if you have little ones in the house, we can end up with burn injuries if we’re getting to close to those things,” Murphy said. “We also want to make sure we are keeping combustible items at least three feet away from those space heaters.”

Murphy also said to avoid less traditional ways of heating during the colder months.

“After being in the fire service for several years and investigating various fires, some of the other common causes we run into are the use of inappropriate heat sources,” Murphy said. “If you are in a situation, where maybe coming out of the pandemic and you haven’t been able to afford your bills, things of that nature, we have seen the use of kitchen ovens and appliances like that used in a way they weren’t intended to, resulting in a response from the fire department because it started the house on fire.”

Murphy also told Local4 News that people need to make sure and not use an extension cord with a space heater, as it can present a safety concern.

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