As temperatures drop across the Midlands, the Columbia-Richland Fire Department is reminding residents to take precautions when heating their homes to prevent fires.
“Any source of heating in your home can cause a fire but some devices are more risky than others,” said Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins, “Space heaters and fireplaces are heating sources that definitely require the most attention. Leaving either unattended for any length of time can have drastic consequences.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters and heating stoves were the leading causes of home heating fires between 2019 and 2023, resulting in the most deaths, injuries, and property damage…