YORK, Pa. — As the winter season begins to creep around the corner, Pennsylvanians are starting to power on their heaters for the first time this year.
Although any heating device has the potential to accidentally start a structure fire, experts say that there are ways to minimize potential risks.
York Area United Volunteer Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Todd Heilman remarked that fire calls have already started to come in.
“I’ve heard of a few dispatched this year for us in our own communities. [Some] mutual aid fires that we’ve been on have already been for chimney fires,” Heilman recalled.
Most chimney fires occur due to a buildup of creosote, which is a flammable dark substance that coats a chimney’s walls. Experts say that getting your chimney regularly inspected and cleaned is important maintenance.
“We just want to make sure everyone is safe. We want you to have peace of mind going into winter that your stuff is going to work right, [and] is also going to be safe,” said Anderson Chimney and Masonry Production Manager Matt Freberg.
In addition to fireplaces, Heilman says alternative heaters can pose the same risk for fires.
“There are some fires that [are] caused by electric heaters because they’re not being plugged into the proper outlet, or are using an extension cord that they probably shouldn’t be using,” Heilman stated.
Flames can also be ignited when an electric heater breaks down, potentially causing a power surge. Additionally, if an electric heater is placed on or near flammable materials, like carpet or drapes, a fire could engulf a room.
Specialists state that regular supervision and maintenance are critical to preventing accidental fires, no matter how a home is heated.
“We had a fire last year due to a propane space heater that was left running overnight [that] was too close to combustible materials,” Heilman explained.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can also alert residents to a potential emergency, so it’s important to change the batteries often; electric alarms are also found in some homes and require less maintenance.
“Carbon monoxide is tasteless. You can’t see it, and you can’t smell it, so we need something to let us know it’s there,” Heilman said.
It is also recommended to have a home exit plan, especially for families living with children or older adults. When creating an exit plan, families should tailor it to their home's unique layout.