As cold temperatures continue to be forecast, the Biloxi Fire Department asks residents to consider heat safety when using heating equipment to stay warm.
Home heating is one of the leading causes of house fires and, according to the National Fire Protection Association, the third leading cause of home fire deaths. Most heating fires occur during December, January, and February, the time of year when people are using heating equipment, such as space heaters, to stay warm.
The Biloxi Fire Department reminds residents to keep safety in mind when heating their homes or businesses.
Here are some tips to help reduce the risk of a home fire as winter sets in.
-Make sure all heating equipment is in good working order.
-Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, or space heaters.
-Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away from your home as possible.
-Make sure space heaters are in good working order and used by the manufacturer’s instructions.
-Avoid using electrical space heaters in bathrooms or other areas where they may come in contact with water.
-Make sure every bedroom and common area outside the bedrooms has a working smoke alarm. Be sure to check the smoke detectors monthly.
-Plug only one heat-producing appliance, like a space heater, into an electrical outlet at a time.
-Never use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating device. It is a safety hazard and can be a source of potentially toxic fumes.
-Frozen water pipes? Never try to thaw them with a blowtorch or other open flame. The pipe could conduct the heat and ignite the inside of the wall. Use hot water or a UL-labeled device such as a hand-held dryer for thawing.
-If windows are used as emergency exits in your home, practice using them in the event of a fire. Be sure that all the windows open easily. Home escape ladders are recommended.
-If there is a fire hydrant near your home you can assist the fire department by keeping the hydrant clear of obstacles so it can be easily located. Plan and practice a home escape plan with your family.
For more safety tips, call the Biloxi Fire Department at 228-435-6200 or visit online by clicking here.
News & notes: Weekly report, MLK celebration
The week that was: The latest information on city projects, permits, service calls, and more from the departments of the Police, Fire, Engineering, Community Development, and Public Works is posted on the city’s Weekly Reports page. To see the weekly department reports, click here.
MLK celebration: A Martin Luther King, Jr. community celebration will take place beginning Saturday. Events include a community resource expo on Sat., Jan. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Biloxi Civic Center, Dreams in Harmony event on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. at the Biloxi Civic Center, and a Celebration of Art & Culture on Thursday, Jan. 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Ohr-O’Keefe Musuem of Art. Each event is free and open to the public. To see the flyer, click here.
