Heating safety can be the difference between life and death

JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -

As a winter storm continues to bring snow, ice and below freezing temperatures to Mississippi, State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney reminds Mississippians that properly using heating sources to stay warm during cold weather and having working smoke alarms in your home is literally the difference between life and death.

An early morning Itawamba County fire caused by a space heater has resulted in four deaths.

"With the dramatic drop in temperature to extreme levels in some areas, everyone must use extraprecaution when using space heaters or alternative methods as heating sources. Space heatingposes a much higher risk of fire, death and injury than central heating, and it cannot be stressedenough that using a stove to heat a home is extremely dangerous," Chaney said.

"Every home should have a working smoke alarm. Working smoke alarms can cut the risk ofpeople dying in home fires in half."

Fire safety education and preventing fire deaths continue to be priority goals of the State FireMarshal's Office.

The State Fire Marshal's Office offers these heating safety tips:

Have a three-foot "kid-free zone" around open fires and space heaters.

Supervise children when a fireplace, fire pit, or other space heater is being used. Use a sturdy, metal screen to prevent contact burns, which are even more common than flame burns.

All heaters need space. Keep things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.

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Heating safety can be the difference between life and death