MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WFXR) – The time has come when many people are putting on the heat in their homes, and with the holidays coming up, they are also lighting them up with decorations.
However, with the fatal fire in Martinsville Tuesday morning still under investigation, the fire department is reminding people in the area of some tips on fire prevention during this time.
“A lot of times with auxiliary heaters, they’re just too close to combustibles,” Dan Howell, the chief of the Martinsville Fire Department, said. “Sometimes if they’re fuel heaters, such as a kerosene heater for example, they may use the wrong type of fuel, and they may not maintain it properly.”
All space heaters and holiday decorations should be plugged in correctly, with a proper amount of space away from any flammable materials.
According to Howell, all objects should be about three feet from the heater. They, along with decorations should be plugged into a place that can handle the load, while trying to avoid extension cords.
“Just remember, you never want to overload those and don’t put rugs, carpets, blankets, or anything on top of them while you got something plugged in,” he said. “All of that increases heating and increases that chance you’ll have a fire.”
It is also important everyone has functioning smoke detectors in their homes, just in case anything does happen.
Often, they could be the difference between life and death.
“In your modern homes, fires spread so rapidly that it’s imperative that the occupants are alerted early to the fire, and they have time to escape,” Howell said. “I just can’t stress that enough.”
Anyone in Martinsville can call the fire department for a free installation of smoke detectors in their homes.