ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – American Red Cross volunteers have responded to two separate house fires in Rockford this past week. As temperatures drop, families are encouraged to take several steps to heat your home safely.
“Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in this country,” said Kellie O’Connell, CEO for the Illinois Red Cross. “But, there are steps people can take to avoid having this happen to them.”
Heat your home safely:
- If you have a space heater, never leave it unattended. Make sure to place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface. Never put heaters on rugs and carpets or near bedding and drapes.
- Plug space heater power cords directly into outlets and never use an extension cord. Turn it off every time you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Keep children, pets and anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.
- Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
- Never leave a fire burning in the fireplace unattended and make sure all embers are extinguished before leaving. Use a glass or metal fire screen to keep embers in the fireplace.
Prevent home fire tragedies:
- Have furnaces, chimneys, fireplaces, wood and coal stoves inspected annually by a professional and cleaned if necessary.
- Test smoke alarms monthly and practice your home fire escape plan. Everyone should be able to exit the home in less than two minutes.
Home fire responses are 30 percent higher during cold months than warm months, so ensure you keep your home safe this winter…