Lincoln Fire and Rescue is asking all residents to be extra careful using space heaters during this cold spell.
Space heaters are an excellent source at keeping spaces warm but there are safety concerns with their use.
LFR recommends you only use space heaters with the tip feature that automatically shut off if they fall or tip over. This feature alone can prevent a house fire.
Use extra care where you plug them in. If you are using a power strip make sure it has a built in circuit breaker as an extra measure of protection. If the unit overheats it will trip the circuit and shut off instead of possibly causing a fire. It is always best to plug the unit directly into an outlet and don’t plug anything into the second plug.
If you are using a space heater make sure it has at least a three foot clearance of furniture, newspapers, bedding or other belongings. It is best not to put a heater directly on carpeting. Never run a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you’re leaving a room or going to sleep, and don’t let pets or children too close to the heater.
As an extra precaution, make sure you have adequate smoke detectors in your home, including outside bedrooms. Test their batteries to make sure they are in working order.