Winter weather is here. Now is the time to brush up on these important safety reminders as you keep your home warm.
Space Heater Safety
While space heaters can be a great way to stay warm, they can be a fire hazard if not used properly. If you’re using a space heater this winter:
- Keep a Safe Distance: Kids, pets, curtains and anything else that could catch fire at least 3 feet away from your heater.
- Monitor Closely: Turn off the heater when it’s not in use or when you’re not in the room.
- Avoid Overloading Outlets: Always plug space heaters and other appliances directly into an outlet — not an extension cord or power strip.
Outage Safety
If a winter storm knocks out power and you’re using alternate power, heating and light sources:
- Ensure Ventilation: Never operate lanterns, heaters or fuel-fired stoves without proper ventilation.
- Avoid Flames: Use battery-powered lights and other devices like your phone flashlight instead of candles to help prevent fires.
- Follow Generator Instructions: Observe the manufacturer’s recommendations for safe installation, operation and maintenance.
- Check Outage Map: If you need to leave your home, check our outage map to find out if local organizations have opened warming centers and shelters.
Prepare Today
Staying vigilant is key to staying safe. To get ahead of emergencies, take time now to:
- Prep, Plan & Practice: Develop and practice a home fire escape plan so you’re ready in an emergency — and be sure to include a designated meeting place outside.
- Check Alarms: Test and replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors regularly.
- Be Ready: Have a fire extinguisher nearby. Check out this guide to learn which type is best for your needs.
To find more fire safety resources, contact your local fire department or check out the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s website for more information.
Prep kit ready. Thanks for annual recommendations. At 75, my resources are not as great as a decade ago so appreciate suggestions.
Thank you for sending this out. I do wish there were places that showed how to properly use what you have. I had to stop Firemen in the grocery store to ask what was the proper type of extinguisher to use for a kerosene burner. Glad to know you are getting ready, this is a bad time of year for a power outage. I had one earlier this week with partial power on our street had lights but no stove, refrigerator or furnace for about 8 hours we have no idea what caused it but glad they were able to fix it.
Problem I’m totally exectric so if power goes off I’m out of help. I have a generator but it’s way to heavy for me to stick outside and I have no way of keeping my pipes from freezing out here in the country