HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – As extreme cold temperatures are expected to arrive in Hopkinsville and Christian County, residents who will be utilizing space heaters in their homes are being reminded of safe use to prevent fires.
Single digit wind chill values are expected in Hopkinsville along with the winter storm, dropping into the negatives by next week. A Cold Weather Advisory has been issued from Jan. 23-25, along with a Winter Storm Warning.
The Hopkinsville Fire Department has previously advised that people should not use generators and grills indoors to provide heat. During winter months, they often experience an uptick of house fires that are triggered by space heaters.
While there are a variety of heaters on the market that include fan-forced, infrared, ceramic, and oil filled heaters, the National Fire Protection Association says that two in five deaths in space heater related fires nationwide involve portable electric space heaters.
The NFPA has provided the following checklist for safe use.
- Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory.
- Keep the heater at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including people.
- Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
- Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
- Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
- Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit.
- Keep children away from the space heater.
- Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.
- Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed.
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