-
With winter weather, comes the threat of house fires.
As a potential winter storm is expected to impact Texas in the coming days, the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast region is urging families to safely heat their home to avoid home fires as the temperatures drop in our areas.
“Colder temperatures often bring the increased risk of home heating fires, and we want everyone to stay safe by properly warming their home,” said Chester Jourdan, Southeast and Deep East Texas Red Cross Executive Director. “While we may not be expecting to get the snow and ice, we are expecting to have temperatures in the 30s at night across the area. We want to make sure our communities are staying safe when using heaters in their homes.”
More than half of Texans have utilized space heaters during cold snaps, a 2020 Red Cross survey determined, prompting community advisements on safe use of the potentially dangerous equipment, including allowing at least three feet of space around all heating equipment, and never leaving space heaters unattended.
Also, the Red Cross advises, don’t place space heaters on rugs and carpets, or near bedding and drapes; keep away children and pets; plug space heater power cords directly into outlets, never an extension cord; turn heaters off every time you leave the room or go to sleep; and never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
Above all, test smoke alarms monthly and practice your home fire escape plan until everyone can escape in less than two minutes – which the approximate amount of time you may have to get out of a burning home before it’s too late.
Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to practice at home.