As cold months approach, fire officials offer safety tips for space heaters

SALISBURY, Md. – Temperatures are only expected to go down as we head into the winter months which is why fire officials are reminding people to be smart when you decide to bring out your space heaters to help warm you up. According to the fire marshal’s office, heating devices like these are one of the leading causes of home fires. In fact officials say 2 in 5 space heater fires involve portable electric space heaters. But they say these fires can be prevented if you take extra safety precautions.

“Typically it’s just placement, being too close to stuff. You should not be turning it on in the morning to take the chill out of the house while you’re getting ready and then leave it on all day,” said Maryland State Fire Marshal Kirby Travers.

Travers adds that if you’re buying a heater make sure it has an automatic shut-off in the event that it gets tipped over. And make sure you keep all children away from space heaters as well.