GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Grand Rapids Fire Department is warning the public to stay warm safely as below-zero temperatures settle in across West Michigan.
Alternative or rarely-used heating sources are a common cause of house and building fires during cold weather.
“If you haven’t used the fireplace in a long time or had your chimney inspected, I would avoid using that,” Grand Rapids Fire Department Battalion Chief Ed Braman told News 8. “We run into chimney fires and that can extend into the building.”
Fuel-burning heaters are also a tempting thing to bring indoors. Beyond the risk of the flame catching fabrics and furniture on fire, anything burning indoors without proper ventilation can present a hard-to-detect safety issue.
“Anything that burns creates carbon monoxide, which you can’t see, smell or hear,” Braman added. “That creates a problem for anybody. Without the proper detectors you won’t even know it’s there.”
Electric heaters also pose their own safety concerns. They can heat flammable materials left too close to the heat source on fire and run the risk of overloading your electrical system.
“If it’s tripping a breaker or something in your house, don’t just ignore it,” Braman emphasized. “It’s doing that for a reason.”
Chief Braman also encouraged the community to check on each other, particularly if you have elderly neighbors.
Below-zero temperatures act quickly on the human body. If someone slips and falls while they are shoveling and stays out there, they can face dangerous circumstances in a matter of minutes.
