OKLAHOMA CITY -
A space heater is
to blame for another house fire overnight, displacing a metro family. This comes just a
day after a space heater caused a fire that killed a mother and her four
children.
Thursday night, firefighters are urging homeowners who use space heaters
to do so with caution.
When temperatures
drop below freezing, more metro families are buying and using space heaters. While we've seen
in the past couple of days how dangerous they can be, the good news is, some of
the newer models have new features that make them safer.
Fire officials
want to make sure everyone knows how to use them properly.
12/27/2012 Related Story: Space Heater Blamed For Fire In NW OKC
"We know people
have to do a variety of things to keep warm, but one of the things to keep in
mind is, you need to inspect the space heater's cords [and] make sure they're
not frayed, they're not worn, and do not cover them with rugs," OKC Fire Major
Kevin Berry said.
A space heater
caused a deadly house fire early Wednesday morning in NW Oklahoma City.
"It just breaks my
heart," neighbor Amanda Baker says. "I just can't even imagine what their
family's going through."
A mother and her
four children were killed in that fire. Thursday,
neighbors left teddy bears in front of their home.
"They do provide
heat. They do work when used properly, but again, they're meant to be
supplemental," Berry says. "They're not meant to be a home's main heating
source."
Firefighters say
space heaters should never be left on overnight. But newer ones, they say, are
safer.
12/26/2012 Related Story: OKC Police Identify Children, Mother Who Died In Accidental Fire
"Some of the newer
ones have a mesh guard. It's more difficult to stick something in there that would
catch fire," Berry says. "If the plug becomes hot, if the cords become
hot, turn them off, unplug them. Allow them to cool down, inspect them, and if
you suspect something's wrong with the space heater, have it checked out."
Firefighters recommend space heaters with a tipping safety device,
so if they accidentally get knocked over, they'll shut off automatically.
The city fire department says three fires have been caused by space
heaters in the past two days.
Read more about safety tips for preventing home fires.
Firefighters recommend space heaters with a tipping safety device, so if they accidentally get knocked over, they'll shut off automatically.
