Johnson Street fire 2

With frigid weather upon the Tennessee Valley, residents using space heaters to keep warm need to take heed. Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths, according to the National Fire Prevention Association.

At least nine people died in heating-related fires in Alabama this year, including one in Limestone County in February, according to the Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office.

James Petty, 64, of 20058 Lovell Road, died Feb. 15 in a heating-related fire, records show.

As recent as Thursday morning, a short in a bedroom space heater sparked a fire that destroyed a home on Johnson Street in northeastern Limestone County, said Piney Chapel Fire Chief Lance Pitts. Two of the occupants attempted to extinguish the blaze by using a fire extinguisher and then water before calling 911, he said.

“It’s a rough time of year, this next week or so,” Pitts said. “People gotta heat their homes and they almost get careless sometimes, trying different things to keep warm, to keep their pipes from freezing.”

Although Pitts is very sympathetic, he wants residents to understand how quickly fire can spread and possibly take a life. Using space heaters safely is the only way to go.

Smoke detectors are equally important to warn sleeping residents.

The North Alabama American Red Cross offers and installs free smoke detectors in Limestone and other counties. If you already have them, make sure they work.

Linda Johnson, disaster program specialist with the North Alabama American Red Cross, said she had not received a call Thursday to assist the Johnson Street family. However, she said the family could contact her at 256-536-0084 in Huntsville, if needed.

How to prevent

Residents can prevent most space heater fires just by following these simple tips from NFPA:

• Buy a heater with the seal of an independent testing laboratory;

• Keep the heater at least 3 feet 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 a sure your heater has an automatic shutoff 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; and

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