A winter storm heading to the area will likely prompt residents to use backup heating sources like space heaters and generators, but improper use of these devices can cause house fires, fire officials warn.
Montgomery County Fire Marshal Jerry Burnham, a 35-year veteran, said electrical issues with space heaters are the most common cause of heating-related fires.
Burnham said most of the time it is due to an electrical issue with the space heaters improper use of drop cords. A space heater is meant to be plugged directly into a plug in and not through and adapter or different types of outlets or drop cord.
Burnham said another frequent problem is placing space heaters too close to furniture or fabric.
He said you need to maintain four to six feet from a carpet or a chair.
Fire officials recommend following these space heater guidelines:
Keep away from flammable materials
Use a heater with safety features like automatic shutoffs
Never leave it unattended
Perform regular maintenance
For generators, Burnham said they should be placed 25 feet from the house and never brought into garages. He also warned against bringing grills indoors, as these can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Montgomery County recorded four heat-related incident calls in 2025, which Burnham called a good year. However, he emphasized that even small space heaters can cause significant damage.
Burnham said this is also a good time to check chimneys.
Source: WBKO
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