Checking heaters can help stop fires

Tuesday, January 18, 2011
An early January fire left this Bronson home badly damaged. The family said this fire was caused by a lit cigarette touching off some clothing. The Fort Scott Fire Department says improper use of space heaters is the most common cause of fires in the wintertime. (Michael Pommier/Tribune)

With winter weather setting in, it is important for residents to be aware of the common causes of structure fires.

Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou said residents should make a habit of checking and cleaning heaters each year to prevent any build up of dirt and lint in the system. He added residents who use wood-burning furnaces should make sure to clean the flue every year to prevent build-up which could lead to a fire.

"You have to keep an eye on your heaters and electrical systems," he said. "If you're having a problem with something, get it checked out."

However, one of the most common causes of house fires in the area, according to Ballou, is the improper use of space heaters.

Space heaters are intended to be used as supplemental heat, however, Ballou said firefighters often find during the winter months that several space heaters are being used as a primary heat source.

"A lot of the causes that we've found in the last two or three years, we've been seeing a recurring problem with multiple space heaters in a house," he said. "(Residents) really need to look at the directions ... and use them in the guidelines that the people manufacturing (them) put out."

With many older homes in the area, Ballou said the incorrect use of space heaters could put a strain on aging electrical systems.

"Those little things pull a lot of electricity ... It will actually overload those systems, get the wiring hot and eventually start a fire," he said.

One of the most important preventive measures residents can take is to make sure all smoke detectors are working properly, Ballou said. He added it is worth the extra cost to install a carbon monoxide detector as well.

"In the wintertime when houses are all closed up and you're trying to heat them, sometimes you can have issues (with carbon monoxide), so that's a good thing to always keep an eye on," he said.

For those who are struck by the devastation of a house fire, the Bourbon County Chapter of the American Red Cross is available to help. Executive Director Whendi Martin said volunteers respond to all structure fires in the county, no matter the hour. She said the volunteers arrive with a blanket and personal hygiene items such as shampoo, deodorant and soap. Volunteers meet with the residents and call a local hotel to find a place for the resident to stay the night.

Martin said the Red Cross has national guidelines they follow to determine how much assistance is available depending on the amount of damage to a structure.

"Each case is dependent upon the level of destruction that they suffer," she said. "We do not figure any kind of financial need in there."

Martin said that since Dec. 20, 2010, the local Red Cross has assisted with eight fires. She said the winter season, generally beginning around Thanksgiving, is their busiest time for fire assistance.

Assistance provided by the Red Cross includes providing a place to stay for the night, money for food and clothing, and even lumber to board up the home to keep out unwanted visitors. Martin said the local Red Cross helps residents contact their insurance company, or find a place to rent for those who do not have insurance. She added the Red Cross focuses on immediate needs and lets the insurance company handle repairs and other assistance.

"Our goal, our focus is to cover the immediate need," she said. "We try to give those people what they need immediately so they can at least go lay their head down on a pillow and get some rest, if they can."

Assistance provided by the local Red Cross organization is funded primarily by community donations. Martin said the chapter relies on local generosity to be able to provide as much assistance as possible to community members in their time of need.

"We work hard to do the case work and provide the services we can provide," she said.