The National Fire Protection Association says heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in U.S. homes, leading to hundreds of deaths a year.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As the temperatures continue to drop, the tools we rely on to stay warm can bring hidden dangers into our homes. From space heaters sparking fires to carbon monoxide silently creeping in, the risks are real — but they’re preventable.
North Carolina State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor said the coldest months are often the deadliest.
“This season is always a concern for us. Our January, February — just because of the cold spell, we have a spike in fire deaths,” said Taylor.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in U.S. homes, leading to hundreds of deaths a year.
“One death is too many,” said Taylor. “We want to caution folks.”
“If you are using a space heater, make sure you keep it away from any combustible materials like curtains, bed sheets or anything else that can burn,” he said.
Hook adds you should not leave the heaters unattended and they should be plugged directly into a wall outlet – not an extension cord.
Don’t forget your first line of defense either: working smoke detectors. Hook showed off an example to WCNC Charlotte with a unique feature.
“This particular model has a 10-year sealed-in lithium battery,” he said. “When the battery goes bad in it, you throw it away and get a new one, but there are plenty of smoke detectors that do require batteries.”
He said that typically, batteries should be changed once a year.
Fires aren’t the only hazard lurking this season. Carbon monoxide is another deadly threat when temperatures drop. Carbon monoxide detectors are important in every home.
Taylor said having an emergency plan also helps save lives. He said everyone in the home should know all their escape routes.
“What we see a lot of times in our fire deaths is that someone is trying to escape, and we see them close to a door or close to a window,” he said. “Always know that there’s a second way out if it’s a window or another door.”
If you need a smoke detector, reach out to your local fire department to find out what resources are available.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
