Home Heating Fires Expected to Spike as Arctic Blast moves into Texas

New Waverly Firefighters urge residents to prepare now before subfreezing weather descends on the area this weekend.

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, with 4 out of every 5 fatal home heating fires linked to an unattended or improperly used 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.  Space heaters should never be left unattended and must have an adequate separation from anything that might burn. 

IF you do choose to use a portable space heater, here are some safety tips to keep in mind;

• Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory.

• Keep the heater at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including people.

• Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.

• Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.

• Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.

• Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit.

• Keep children away from the space heater.

• Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.

• Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed

Click on this link to download a home heating safety tip sheet.