SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Fire Department hopes to prevent one cold-weather tradition — fires related to people heating their homes.
Fire crews seem to see an uptick in house fires each winter, particularly those started by items such as space heaters and fireplaces
The fire department said they urge caution, especially when using space heaters.
“The key thing is making sure that you have that three-foot space around it with nothing flammable there,” said Joseph Arrington, a public information officer for SAFD. “No curtains, no blankets, no decorations, furniture. That kind of thing.”
Arrington said they should be plugged into the wall directly instead of using an extension cord or power strip.
San Antonio resident Anita Araujo said she routinely follows those rules and more when using space heaters inside her South Side home.
“I don’t sleep with it on,” Araujo said. “We just use a lot of blankets, put sweaters on, and put a coat on.”
Araujo said she is extra careful after suffering through a fire in her home in April 2023.
Although it was not sparked by her heating her home, it still made its mark.
“Everything in my bedroom got destroyed,” she said.
Araujo said it took a year to rebuild the home where the senior citizen had lived for decades.
However, because of city regulations, she was not allowed to install gas lines for heaters, which is why she relies solely on a single space heater to keep warm.
Later this week, Araujo is set to get a second space heater, which will be donated to her through a special Meals on Wheels program.
Arrington said while space heaters often cause many fires, there are other things to look out for at this time of year.
He said chimneys and fireplaces should be inspected before they are used for the first time in the season.
Arrington also urges homeowners not to use stoves or ovens to keep warm.
“Not only is it a fire hazard,” he said. “If you have gas-powered heating or appliances, it can be a carbon-monoxide poisoning hazard.”
The goal, Arrington said, is to be warm and safe.