Virginia Beach, Va. (WTKR) - Hampton Roads is bracing for a stretch of bitterly cold weather over the next few days and that will have many turning to different ways to stay warm.
The Virginia Beach Fire Department says folks needs to take precautions when using a variety of auxiliary heating sources, including space heaters, kerosene heater, electric blankets and fireplaces.
"If you’re using electric devices, make sure you are looking at the cords, make sure there’s no frayed cords or anything like that. Make sure you’re not overloading the outlets or a surge protector," Master Firefighter Kyle Bosiljevac told NewsChannel 3's Todd Corillo in January.
Firefighters say it only takes a matter of seconds for a fire to spark that can turn into a big problem.
"Very quick, very quick, within a few minutes it can be a huge issue. Smoke if nothing else," Bosiljevac commented.
You can read more about fire prevention from the Virginia Beach Fire Department here.
Heating Equipment Safety Tips
(from the National Fire Protection Association)
Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths. Half of home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February. Some simple steps can prevent most heating-related fires from happening.
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Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
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Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
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Never use your oven to heat your home.
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Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
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Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
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Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
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Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
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Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
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Test smoke alarms monthly
