QUINCY (WGEM) – As temperatures drop, people are likely turning on their furnaces and space heaters. But as people plug them in or turn them on, they may want to double check they are also staying safe.
WGEM News spoke to Quincy Firefighter Wade Murfin about how people can stay safe and warm in their home. Murfin said for furnaces, people need to check to see if their filters are clean and not clogged up. As well as use a carbon monoxide detector close to the furnace to notify people of possible issues. Also have it properly inspected by a professional to make sure it is safe to use.
“This is the busiest time of year, from December to January,” said Murfin. “About half of all fires and heating equipment occur during these months. About a quarter of all of the equipment fires are caused by space heaters, and eight out of 10 deaths caused by heating equipment are caused by lack of proper use of space heaters.”
Murfin also said if you smell gas, do not turn on any heaters or light anything, you should leave the building and call 911.
Firefighters said people should make sure their space heaters have 3 feet of clearance around the heater. Also make sure to plug the space heaters into an outlet and not an extension cord because the plug can overheat the extension. The reason is to reduce the risk of flammable objects from catching fire in people’s homes.
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