Firefighters Warn Residents Of Dangers When Heating Homes In Winter

The Tulsa Fire Department warns people to be extra careful when it comes to how you heat your home this week. Firefighters said it’s not uncommon to see an uptick in house fires as the temperatures drop.

TFD said one in five house fire deaths is furnace, radiator or space heater related. 

"We want you to prepare ahead, be responsible and take precautions that could potentially save your family,” Andy Little with the Tulsa Fire Department said.  

Little recommends you have your HVAC system checked, and fireplace cleaned regularly. He said it is best to avoid alternative heating sources like your stove altogether, because it can cause carbon monoxide to build up in your home. He said you should check your carbon monoxide detector every month and replace it every 10 years.  

Little said you should never use extension cords to plug in space heaters and stick to one heater per outlet. He also said space heaters should be at least three feet away from easily combustible items.  

"Drapes, couches, and laundry basket full of clothes,” Little said. 

Little said you should follow manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific space heater as well.  

"If it's an older space heater it may not have a regulation switch that will turn it off if it's knocked over,” said Little. 

He said you should therefore keep an eye on kids and animals around your space heater.  

Little said fire crews are always willing and ready to respond, but preparation can lead to prevention.  

"It gives these crews more time to respond to other people,” Little said. 

Scott Frazier is an associate professor of biosystems engineering at OSU and a state energy management specialist. Frazier said using small portable generators during wintry weather can also be dangerous. He said those engines need to stay outside of your home and even your garage and should be carefully refueled. He notes that it also deals with carbon monoxide and should be taken seriously.   

“When all else fails follow the instructions because the manufacturers, they're aware of liability,” Frazier said. 

He said to use three prong plugs: the bigger and shorter the better. Frazier said the cord should be uncovered, away from water and lukewarm. If it's too hot you've got too much stuff hooked up. He also said it is important to turn small, portable generators off after a while to let them cool down. Frazier told News On 6 that small, portable generators are about 2000 watts and aren’t the best use for powering an electric heater. Rather, he believes helping source lights, your fridge, your cell phone and computer is a more reasonable load.  

"It's like running a lawn mower. It's an engine. It gets hot,” said Frazier. “You've got to deal with fuel, but if you use common sense and follow the instructions then it's about the same deal." 

Frazier asks that you avoid plugging the cord from the generator right into your house outlet which is called back feeding. He said back feeding in very dangerous for linemen and linewomen working out on the lines.  

Frazier said one of the best solutions for warming up is layering up with more clothing and blankets.   

He said a full house electrical generator is a different story and is safer because you’re not running around plugging all kinds of things in and it runs on propane or natural gas.