HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – With the recent cold weather, it is important to know how to heat your home safely.
The Christian County Sheriff’s Office shared several tips for cold weather that could save your life and the life of your family:
- Make sure there is nothing combustible around your heating source.
- Make sure kids keep away from your heating source.
- Never heat your home with your oven.
- Make sure to use the correct fuel for your fuel burning heaters.
- Test your smoke alarms once a month during the winter months.
- Please install a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
- Don’t overload one outlet with too many heat producing devices.
- If you smell gas anywhere in your home, exit the home immediately and contact your local fire department or gas company.
Due to the misuse of heating appliances and improper supplemental heating, the Hopkinsville Fire Department responds to fires frequently in the winter. “There’s an increased risk when using ovens, space heaters, or other devices when heating your home,” said HFD spokesperson Payton Rodgers. “Always use approved heating devices when heating your home.”
Rodgers also explained that supplemental heating devices should be plugged directly into the wall outlet and to make sure you have a working CO alarm.