Two people have been killed, two injured, and at least six RVs destroyed in the last three weeks across the US in incidents linked to the use of electric space heaters. The winter heating season has arrived, and fire officials say more caution needs to be exercised by those who would take off the chill with space heaters.

Kurt Strey, who serves as Fire Chief in New Berlin, Texas, recalls the results of a recent travel trailer fire in his jurisdiction: “People who were using space heaters either overloaded it or placed it too close to something combustible,” he said. “A lady who was sleeping inside woke up to a trailer full of smoke and kicked out a window to escape. She narrowly escaped with her life.”

In Florida, a man and his daughter escaped a burning fifth wheel after their electric space heater began sparking and the rig filled with smoke. An as-yet-to-be identified man in Seminole, Oklahoma, wasn’t so fortunate. Fire officials recovered his body from a travel trailer that had been heated with multiple space heaters.

Every year this same scenario is played out throughout the country. Inappropriately used space heaters can be linked to tragedy after tragedy. To avoid problems, here are recognized safety tips:

• Buy a space heater that has been certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
• Keep all furniture and combustible items at least three feet away from any heating device.
• Never use space heaters to dry clothing, towels or other combustibles.
• Never refill a fuel-burning space heater while it’s on or inside your house.
• Space heaters should not be left on while you are asleep or leave the room.
• When not in use, space heaters should be unplugged.
• Do not connect a space heater to an outlet with an extension cord, and never overload the circuit.
• Never use a space heater with a damaged or frayed cord, and never cover the cord with carpeting or furniture.
• Be sure your space heater is in good working condition and that the heating element is protected by a metal guard.
• Keep young children away from space heaters.
• Avoid using electric space heaters in a bathroom, and never touch an electric heater when you are wet.
• Make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working before using a space heater.
• Check the cord on an electric space heater to determine if it is very warm or hot. If so, unplug it immediately and try another outlet. If it continues to be hot, contact an electrician.

file photo, R & T DeMaris

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 7th, 2010 at 1:29 pm and is filed under RV safety, fire hazards. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.