The use of “alternative heat sources” can turn deadly during frigid weather, and local firefighters have advice on when and how to safely use them to help stay warm.

Patty Phillips, squad captain with the Smith Township Fire Department, advised using extreme caution when setting up alternate heat sources.

“They put it in places where there’s lots of clutter, so they don’t leave enough space around these little heaters. So when they heat up, some papers or combustible stuff is going to light,” she said. “Stuff should be kept at least 3 feet away from any kind of a space heater or kerosene heater. Kerosene heaters should not be used in a house. The fumes are pretty bad.”

Phillips said concerns about allowing sufficient space also hold true for fireplaces, where sparks can fly out.

“A lot of this is just being aware of what’s going on around you and keeping stuff away from those heat sources,” she said. “And having smoke detectors. Smoke detectors is a big thing. You wouldn’t believe how many people don’t have any working smoke detectors in their homes.”

Woodsfield Fire Chief Mike Young said other hazards can occur when caring for animals during the cold.

“We’ve had an issue here in the Woodsfield area in our jurisdiction with misuse of heat lamps. Heat lamps are used to keep livestock warm,” he said. “They’re not properly secured in the barns.”

He said the danger struck home recently.

“We lost a garage – it’s been three or four weeks ago – an entire two-story garage and two vehicles. They had actually put a heat lamp and had goats in the barn of the garage and the owner didn’t unplug the heat lamp before he went to work. I’m assuming the goats knocked it over,” Young said. “The heat lamp falls into the straw or the hay, whatever they’re using for bedding, and the next thing you know you’ve got a fire.”

Young also cautions against the use of older electric heaters that do not automatically shut off when tipped over.

“You can get a cheap, electric heater to help unthaw pipes and if it tips over and doesn’t shut off, you’re looking at some problems,” Young said.

Phillips agreed.

“If you have old heaters, those should be replaced because any of the new electrical heaters now, when they tip over they automatically shut off,” she said. “If you’ve got a heater that’s 10-12 years old, it wouldn’t hurt to replace it, just for safety reasons.

“I would hope that nobody’s using electric heaters out in their barns with their livestock,” Phillips added. “That’s just kind of asking for a situation to occur.”

The National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Fire Administration provided winter and holiday safety tips including not overloading outlets or misusing of extension cords, turning off lights and decorations before going to bed or leaving the home, and being aware of old or worn holiday lights, appliances and cords. Other tips related to the holidays include being aware of the condition of decorations and taking precautions with the Christmas tree, whether it is living or artificial.

More tips can be found at weathersafety.ohio.gov/WinterFireSafetyTips.