Hudgens Offers Home Heating Safety Tips

With historic low temperatures expected across the state over the next several days, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens says Georgians need to remember some important home heating safety tips.

Hudgens says people should keep portable space heaters, open fireplaces and wood stoves away from curtains, draperies, and other flammable material.

Also, he says people should make sure heaters have adequate ventilation, and always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions.

Along those lines, Hudgens says people should make sure that if using a kerosene space heater as automatic shut-off in case it tips over.

Meanwhile, Hudgens says to make sure all fuel-burning appliances and fireplaces are properly vented.

He says if someone suspects a gas leak in their home, leave immediately and call the gas company from elsewhere.

The state’s Safety Fire Commissioner also reminds people to install an adequate number of smoke alarms.

According to Hudgens, most fatal fires start between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., while the family is asleep, adding that 9 out of 10 fire victims are already dead before the fire department is even called, mainly from smoke and toxic gases.

Finally, Hudgens says each household should have a well rehearsed family escape plan.

He explains that all rooms, especially bedrooms, should have two escape routes and adds that families should have a predetermined meeting place outside the house to ensure everyone is out safely.
In 2015, fire has claimed the lives of twenty Georgians.