The recent string of very cold days has Illinois fire departments cautioning residents about the risk of fires and carbon monoxide. Danville Fire Chief Don McMasters says the use of space heaters is one thing that can spark a fire if people are not careful.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: Either ONE; they overload their circuits with them, or power cords with them, and it causes issues. Or TWO, they put things up against them or too close to them that will then start combusion because they are too close to those things that are so, so hot. Those are big leading causes of fires this time of year. As well as the occasional chimney fire for people that have wood burning fireplaces in their residences.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating is the second leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, and the third leading cause of home fire deaths.
‘’It’s very important that you are testing your smoke and CO alarms monthly and replacing broken or expired alarms,’’ says Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. Unlike smoke, carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas which is only detectable by special devices and CO alarms.