With mercury dropping, concerns are rising on space heaters

January 14, 2009 08:00 AM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Globe Staff

With Massachusetts expected to go into the deep freeze in the next few days, state fire officials are warning people to be careful in using space heaters and other alternative methods of heating their homes.

In 2007, the most recent year for which data was available, there were 19 space heater fires statewide. Three civilians died and two were injured, while seven firefighters were injured, the state fire marshal’s office said.

“We’re very concerned about the use of space heaters. ... We are facing in the next few days what’s forecast to be the coldest weather of the winter season. We, as fire officials, know extreme cold translates into an increased risk of fires and, unfortunately, fire fatalities,” said Fire Marshal Stephen Coan.

Space heater fires are rare but “when they do occur, they have tragic outcomes,” he said, noting that about one out of every 10 space heater fires results in a fatality.

Space heaters can spark fires if they are placed too close to drapes, furniture, bedding, paper, or other combustible materials, Coan said. Such materials should be kept three feet away from the heater. The office also advised people to use only heavy-duty extension cords with space heaters.

Coan said people who use woodstoves, pellet stoves, and coal stoves also should be sure that they’re installed according to the state building code, should have their chimneys checked annually, and should keep combustibles a safe distance away from them. Ashes should be disposed of in a metal container, away from the house.

He also warned that poorly maintained heating systems can be a cause of deadly carbon monoxide and reminded people that the law requires them to install carbon monoxide alarms on every level that people occupy.