Don't Let Rising Heating Prices
Lead to Winter Fires
News Release: November 22, 2005
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing (610) 865-4400, ext. 262

With rising oil and gas prices leading many families to look for alternative heating, the American Red Cross is urging fire safety practices. "There is typically an increase in apartment and house fires this time of year due to the use of candles and space heaters," said Cordelia Miller, director of emergency services for the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. "This year, more than ever, take time to learn and follow safety procedures. By making your home as fire safe as you can, plotting and practicing escape routes and following through on your plan if needed, you can prevent tragedy from occurring."

Learn How to Heat Your Home Safely

Be Cautious With Portable Space Heaters - During the months of December, January and February, heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires according to the National Fire Prevention Association. About two-thirds of home heating fire deaths are caused by portable or fixed space heaters. Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything combustible, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing, pets and people. Never leave space heaters operating when you are not in the room or when you go to bed. Don't leave children or pets unattended near space heaters, and be sure everyone knows that drying wet mittens or other clothing over space heaters is a fire hazard.

Use Caution With Candles - Keep candles away from combustible materials. Don't leave children unattended in a room with lit candles. Keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children. Never display lighted candles in windows or near exits. Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only.

Keep Fire Extinguishers Handy Throughout Your Home - Get training from the fire department in how to use them. Consider installing other equipment, such as an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.

Inspect Fireplaces and Wood Stoves - Use a sturdy screen when burning fires. Burn only wood -- never burn paper or pine boughs. Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary prior to the start of every heating season.

Use Generators Carefully - If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, always plan to keep the generator outdoors -- never operate it inside, including the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Connecting a cord from the generator to a point on the permanent wiring system and backfeeding power to your home is an unsafe method to supply a building with power.

Use Clothes and Blankets to Build Layers Against the Cold - Have extra blankets, scarves, hats and sweaters on hand, and ensure that each member of your household is ready with a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots when you go outside.

Create a Disaster Supplies Kit - Get together lifesaving items in both your home and vehicle. Go to www.redcross.org for a list of materials.

Make Sure Smoke Alarms are Working Properly and replace batteries as necessary.

Don't Overload Your Electrical Outlets - Be careful of extension cords that present hazardous walkways.

Make Sure to Learn the Lifesaving Skills of First Aid and CPR - Contact the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley at (610) 865-4400 for details.

And remember… when a fire, blizzard, flood, or other emergency happens in your community, you can count on the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley to be there to help you and your family.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.