Franklin Park Volunteer Fire Company

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Space Heater Safety Tips
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By Member Joe Birch
January 12, 2022

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds consumers to follow safety precautions when purchasing and using electric or fuel-fired space heaters. In a recent year, there were about 10,900 residential fires and about 190 deaths associated with portable or fixed local heaters.

• Fuel-burning space heaters also can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and indoor air pollution because of improper venting or incomplete combustion.

• Choose a space heater that has been tested to the latest safety standards and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. These heaters will have the most up-to-date safety features, while older space heaters may not meet the newer safety standards.

• An automatic cut-off device is now required to turn off electric or kerosene heaters if they tip over.

• Select a space heater with a guard around the flame area or heating element. Place the heater on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep the heater at least three feet from bedding, drapes, furniture, or other flammable materials.

• Keep doors open to the rest of the house if you are using an unvented fuel-burning space heater. This helps prevent pollutant build-up and promotes proper combustion. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to provide sufficient combustion air to prevent CO production.

• Never leave a space heater on when you go to sleep. Never place a space heater close to any sleeping person.

• Turn the space heater off if you leave the area. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.

• Have a smoke alarm with fresh batteries on each level of the house and inside every bedroom. In addition, have a carbon monoxide alarm outside the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area.

• Be aware that mobile homes require specially designed heating equipment.

• Have gas and kerosene space heaters inspected annually.


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Incidents 2023 2024 2025
Jan 22 16 34
Feb 16 15 23
Mar 23 17 26
Apr 28 29 42
May 22 27 23
Jun 21 35 23
Jul 19 23
Aug 21 27
Sep 31 25
Oct 22 31
Nov 27 23
Dec 22 25
Total 274 293 171

Incidents History
Year Calls Year Calls
2008 246 2022 283
2009 210 2023 274
2010 259 2024 293
2011 214 2025 171
2012 208 2026
2013 248 2027
2014 259 2028
2015 247 2029
2016 244 2030
2017 238
2018 244
2019 350
2020 248
2021 247
Total 3462   1021

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Years Average Calls
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1975-1979 36
1980-1984 51
1985-1989 68
1990-1994 108
1995-1999 150
2000-2004 179
2005-2009 222
2010-2014 238
2015-2019 267
2020-2024 269
2025-2029
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Franklin Park Volunteer Fire Company #1, Station 158
2360 Rochester Road
Sewickley, PA 15143
Emergency Dial 911
Non-Emergency: 412-364-5670
Station Fax: 412-364-1460
E-mail: info@franklinparkvfc158.org
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