Contact: Jimmy Williams PIO
NWVFD
(936) 524-7917
Media Release
Home Heating Fires Expected to Spike as
Arctic Blast Moves into Texas
Now is the time to prepare to heat your home safely before subfreezing weather descends on the area.
New Waverly, Tx 1/10/2024
New Waverly Fire Department District Chief Jimmy Williams passed along that forecasts are predicting a surge of Arctic air moving into southeast Texas by the end of the weekend, with temperatures dropping well below freezing for many hours Monday, Tuesday and possibly even Wednesday.
Winter is the peak time for residential home fires, with many of these fires caused by efforts to heat our homes. In 2021, Winter Storm Uri brought days of subfreezing weather, contributing to over 200 deaths, with over 2/3rds of Texans losing power at some point during the storm. While we’re not forecast to see conditions that severe, we certainly will see some of the lowest temps so far this winter, prompting residents to seek alternative heating methods to stay warm.
By far, the deadliest alternative heat sources are portable space heaters. Firefighters and Fire Safety experts caution residents to make sure that they are using their space heater in a safe manner and recommend seeking safer alternatives, such as heating blankets or additional bedding at night.
IF you do choose to use a portable space heater, here are some safety tips to keep in mind–
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Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory.
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Keep the heater at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including people.
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Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
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Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
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Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
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Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit.
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Keep children away from the space heater.
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Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.
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Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed
