First Candle Extinguished on fire Safety Tree
First Candle Extinguished on fire Safety Tree
A residential structure fire in the 1900 block of Church Street in the Midway Fire District represents the first candle extinguished on the “Keep Your Holidays Bright” fire safety tree. Santa Rosa Emergency Communications was notified of the fire in a mobile home at 2:18 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22. Crews arrived on scene at 2:20 p.m. and the fire was under control by 2:35 p.m. Units from Midway, Gulf Breeze and Holley-Navarre responded. The fire, believed to be started by a space heater, destroyed the camper and displaced one adult. The American Red Cross was called to assist. No one was injured; however, a pet dog was lost in the fire.
When using a space heater, please these safety tips from Underwriters Laboratories:
· Keep all space heaters at least three feet away from household combustibles.
· Use space heaters only as a supplementary source of heat. These devices are not intended to replace the home’s heating system.
· Do not use extension cords with space heaters unless absolutely necessary.
· Inspect the heater’s cord periodically to look for frayed wire or damaged insulation. Do not use a space heater with a damaged cord.
· Check periodically for a secure plug/outlet fit. If the plug becomes very hot, the outlet may need to be replaced by a qualified technician. This could be the sign of a potential home wiring issue.
· Heaters should be placed on a flat, level surface. Do not place heaters on furniture since they may fall and become damaged or break parts in the heater.
· Unless the heater is designed for use outdoors or in bathrooms, do not use in damp, wet areas.
· Look for the UL Mark on your electric heater. This means representative samples of the appliance have met UL’s stringent safety standards.
Santa Rosa County emergency service agencies are teaming up for the sixth year to promote fire safety during the month of December with the “Keep Your Holidays Bright” campaign. While a joyous time of year, cold weather, holiday decorations and festivities can create serious fire dangers. Fire fighters hope to reduce the number of fires in Santa Rosa County by promoting simple, life-saving holiday safety tips throughout the month. In the first year nine candles were extinguished on the safety tree, three in the second year, six in the 2009 campaign, four in 2010 and six in 2011. For more fire safety tips, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov.
