BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — With the changing of seasons and the need to once again turn on the heat to ward off the morning chill, the National Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 9-15) serves as an important reminder of the safety precautions necessary to keep families and homes safe from fire hazards.
“We continue to use the well-known saying, ‘When you change your clocks, change your smoke detector batteries,’ as a reminder to the public,” remarked Martin County 911 Director Nick Endicott, who also serves as the Assistant Inez Volunteer Fire Department Chief and Arson Investigator/Fire Marshal for the Kentucky State Police. “It doesn’t matter how many smoke alarms you have in your home; if the batteries are dead, they are no help whatsoever.
“We respond to more fires in the colder months of the year than in spring and summer, and we often find the origin related to heating sources,” said Endicott. “Whether you heat with electric or gas, there are steps you can take to stay safe and help prevent issues that could endanger lives and property.”
When heating with natural gas or propane or using kerosene heaters during power outages, Endicott says it’s of the utmost importance to have carbon monoxide detectors installed correctly in the home. They should be centrally located, and if you use gas-powered heaters/appliances on more than one floor of your home or in a garage or basement, you will need multiple detectors.
“Defective heaters and appliances that run on natural gas are the main cause for fires that stem from a gas line explosion,” said Endicott. “Carbon monoxide is a silent, odorless and deadly killer. Without carbon monoxide detectors, your family could be overcome by the fumes before you even realize what is happening. I’ve seen it happen, and it’s heartbreaking to know a detector could have saved lives.”
Although electric HVAC systems are considered the safest source of heat for residences and businesses, it’s important to have yearly inspections performed to ensure all is well and filters changed to keep the unit working properly. Ductwork should also be checked regularly to ensure it has not pulled loose, allowing the heat to escape and the furnace to work harder to keep your home at the set temperature.
Endicott spoke of the many dangers of using space heaters, saying more fires are caused by that source of heat than others.
“First and foremost, if you can’t plug a space heater directly into a wall outlet, then please – don’t use it,” said Endicott. “Do not use extension cords or power strips. The heaters drain more power than they are equipped to handle and can overload a circuit. When that happens, the breaker typically throws, but if there’s an issue with the breaker, it could easily start a fire.
“Never set a space heater next to a bed, curtains or cloth furniture that could ignite. The heaters need to be in an open space with nothing in close proximity.”
Endicott said if using a wood-burning stove/fireplace as a heat source, you need to have the chimney and/or pipes checked annually to assure there are no blockages, obstructions, or buildup that prevent the smoke from ventilating properly. As with the electric space heaters, nothing should be close to the wood stove or fireplace. If there are small children or pets in the home, it’s always a good idea to have some barrier to prevent them from getting burned.
“Last and certainly not least is kerosene heaters. I know this type of heat is often used during power outages, and although it’s not the best or safest choice, there’s often no other option,” remarked Endicott. “When using a kerosene heater, do not use one that you’ve had any issues with because unless it was repaired by a properly trained person, it could be a disaster waiting to happen. Make sure to follow safety instructions when operating, and don’t attempt to bypass any part of the heater. Do not use the heater while everyone in the home is asleep, and make sure it’s in a location where it cannot be easily bumped or turned over.”
Another matter of concern that Endicott said is especially important for families with children/teens with cell phones never to place the phone on a bed, couch or other fabric sources while charging. The batteries can overheat if the phone is left on charge for an extended time, especially under a pillow or blanket.
“I had a family member who experienced this, so I have seen with my own eyes what can happen. The mattress was smoldering where the phone was lying, and the phone actually melted. There have been cases of a person being seriously burned from a cellphone fire/explosion, and it could quickly spread to other areas of the home. Only charge your cell on a solid surface and remove the charger cord soon as the battery is recharged.”
Endicott said that a homeowner should contact their utility company for guidance if they have further questions or concerns about their heat source. If you need smoke detectors and/or carbon monoxide detectors, those are available free through the American Red Cross. Local Red Cross volunteer Jamie Taylor can assist with those needs and can be reached at 606-939-2085.
“An ounce of prevention is, and will always be, worth a pound of cure,” stated Endicott. “A few minutes of your time spent making sure your heat source is safe could prevent devastating problems down the line.