12 Point Checklist for Portable Heater Safety

 

With the temperatures diminishing in Spokane, many in our community will start using portable electric heaters.

While they can be an efficient way to warm a room or supplement central heating, portable electric heaters can also be a fire or electric shock hazard if not used properly.

The SFD joins the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) in encouraging the safe use of portable electric heaters:

• Read the manufacturer's instructions and warning labels before using your heater.
• Never leave an operating heater unattended and always unplug the heater when not in use.
• Unplug the heater by pulling the plug straight from the outlet. Inspect the power cord regularly, and never use a heater with a damaged cord.
• Check periodically for a secure plug/outlet fit. If the plug does not fit snugly into the outlet or if the plug becomes very hot, the outlet may need to be replaced. Check with a qualified electrician to replace the outlet.
• Do not use a power strip or extension cord to power your heater. Overheating of the power strip or extension cord could result in a fire.
• Do not plug any other electrical device into the same outlet as your heater. This could result in overheating.
• String the included power cord above any rug or carpeting. Anything you place on top of a cord - including furniture, may damage it.
• Keep combustible materials such as furniture, pillows, bedding, papers, clothes, curtains, paint, gas cans and matches at least three feet from the front of the heater and away from the sides and rear. Do not block the heater's air intake or outlet.
• Unless the heater is designed for outdoor use or in bathrooms, do not use in damp or wet areas. Parts in the heater may be damaged by moisture.
• Place the heater on a level, flat surface. Only use a heater on tabletops when specified by the manufacturer.
• Heaters should be kept away from pets and children and never used in a child's room without adult presence.
• Seniors, the disabled, those living alone or in student housing may be at increased risk due to careless or improper use of heaters. If you know someone in this risk category, please share this safety list and your concerns.

You can contact the AHAM and receive a free "Stay Safe!" brochure, by calling (888) 785-SAFE or visiting:
www.heatersafety.org

SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002

Residential Fire

Incident #: 2012049106
Date of Incident: 11/11/2012
Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 12:22 PM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 1 Senior Ladder, 4 Engines and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Cornelius and Sabo, responded to a structure fire at 1426 East Decatur Avenue. While enroute to the incident, companies were notified of a report that a civilian was trapped in the basement of the building. After hearing smoke alarms sounding, neighbors responded by calling 911 and discharged a fire extinguisher in attempt to minimize the fire’s growth. The neighbors were also able to awake the elderly man in the basement and lead him to safety. The first arriving companies described the home as a one-story, wood frame construction with heavy smoke showing from the rear of the residence. The first due Engine and Ladder went to work immediately after arriving and stretched a line in attempt to control the fire’s progress toward the living areas in the house. Additionally, a Paramedic Engine Company was assigned to care for the resident. Simultaneously the Ladder Company searched both floors of the home for civilians and provided ventilation of the structure. The fire was declared under control in 15-minutes after the SFD’s arrival and no injuries were reported.

Cause:
The nature of the fire has been determined to be accidental and caused by discarded smoking materials too close to combustibles.

Damage:
Damage was limited to an external area in the rear of the home.

# Firefighters Responding: 22

Dollar Loss: $ 2000

Other Agencies Responding:
Spokane Police Department,

End Of Release
For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002

SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002

North Battalion Residence Fire

Incident #: 2012049081
Date of Incident: 11/11/2012
Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 7:58 AM, seven companies of Spokane Firefighters including four engines, two senior ladders and one heavy rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Cornelius and Sabo responded to a residence fire at 4615 North Rustle in Spokane’s Northwest Side. 

Firefighters arrived within three minutes to discover smoke showing on the interior of the single family home.  Firefighters entered the structure using handlines and thermal imaging cameras to locate and extinguish the fire.  Ladder companies simultaneously provided ventilation and access to the fire within the confines of the wood frame home.  The fire, which spread through attic and void spaces, was ultimately confined to the chimney and remote areas in the attic and extinguished by first-due companies within 30-minutes.  There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians as a result of this incident.

Cause:
The cause of this early morning blaze has been determined to be accidental and related to the condition of the fireplace and nearby combustibles

Damage:
Due to the quick actions of the firefighters, damage was limited to the area of origin.

# Firefighters Responding: 22

Dollar Loss: $ 2000

Other Agencies Responding:
Spokane Police Department,

End Of Release
For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002

SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002

Riverpark Square Garage Fire

Incident #: 2012048960
Date of Incident: 11/10/2012
Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 2:42 PM, 8 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 5 Engines, 2 Senior Ladders and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Moline and Donahoe responded to a report of heavy smoke coming from the Riverpark Square Parking Garage.

Responding to an initial report of a vehicle fire, firefighters arrived within minutes to find a difficult to access, well involved vehicle on the seventh floor with flames rapidly threatening nearby automobiles and the adjacent building.  As additional personnel arrived, firefighters commenced a swift and well-coordinated attack on the fire by climbing the stairwell and assembling a fire attack group below the fire floor. The building’s standpipe system was charged by downtown fire engines and ladder trucks were raised to make access to the seventh and eight floors. Despite the personnel-intensive work required to access the fire, their efforts proved synergistic and the flames were extinguished in just 30 minutes. Damage was limited to one unoccupied vehicle with smoke damage to a portion of the seventh floor, with smoke and water impacting the stairwell.  Companies remained for several hours to ensure that smoke remained away from the mall and water was eliminated from the stairwell.  The immediate garage area and the mall was evacuated safely and no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

Cause:
The cause has been determined to be accidental and related to the vehicle's engine.

Damage:
The vehicle was destroyed and there is minor smoke damage to the immediate area and stairwell.

# Firefighters Responding: 26

Dollar Loss: $ 40000

Other Agencies Responding:
Spokane Police Department, Riverpark Square Security

End Of Release
For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002

SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002

North Battalion Business Fire

Incident #: 2012048928
Date of Incident: 11/10/2012
Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 11:24 PM, 7 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 4 Engines, 2 Senior Ladders and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Donahoe and Moline responded to a building fire at 2829 North Market (Starlite Spa).
 
While responding, fire dispatch received multiple 911 calls from citizens reporting that heavy smoke and fire was coming from the front door of the building. The first company arrived within 5-minutes and found an intense fire inside the front of the concrete building. The building appeared abandoned and the doors and windows were boarded up and secured with iron bars. The incident was upgraded to a working fire which added an additional company to the scene.  Ladder companies had to force entry into doors and windows on multiple sides of the fortified building which allowed engine companies access to the interior where they successfully located and extinguish the fire.  Ladder crews additionally ventilated the roof and ceilings above the fire. Initial arriving engines and ladder companies also simultaneously performed a rapid, well-coordinated search of the premises for any victims and found nothing.  The fire was deemed under control within 30-minutes. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters on this incident.  There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident.


 

Cause:
The cause of this fire is categorized as incendiary (human caused).  The investigation remains open.

Damage:
The building has been secured by a board up company and monetary loss to the facility is still being estimated by the SIU.

# Firefighters Responding: 24

Dollar Loss: $ 20000

Other Agencies Responding:
Spokane Police Department,

End Of Release
For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002