The County Executive’s Corner – Stay Warm & Safe This Winter

With winter far from over, it is really important to drive home this message; if you use space heaters in your home during the winter, please be extremely careful.

Space heaters account for about one-third of all house fires during the winter and about 80 percent of deaths that occur in those fires. 

As a former police commander with the NYPD and Chief of Detectives in Baltimore, I know just how quickly an emergency can go from dangerous to deadly and I don’t want to see what happened in the Bronx happen anywhere else – including here in Rockland.

If you’re using a space heater, please take a moment to read the following safety advice from our Office of Fire and Emergency Services:

• Keep the heater at least three feet from anything flammable, such as curtains, bedding, and furniture.

• Plug it directly into an outlet and avoid using extension cords, which can overheat and cause fires.

• Make sure it was tested by Underwriter Laboratories, a non-profit dedicated to public safety (there will be a sticker on the unit itself or the box it came in).

• Always close the door when you’re evacuating from a fire to help contain the flames and smoke.

In addition to space heaters, there are other common fire hazards that can pose serious risks during the winter months. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges families to be aware of the following dangers:

• Portable generators that are not often used or maintained properly can pose fire and carbon monoxide risks.

• Leaking gas lines, damaged gas propane containers, and leaking vehicle gas tanks can result in devastating explosions.

• Appliances and vehicles exposed to water can short-circuit and catch fire.

• Debris near severed electrical wires and transformers can ignite and spread flames rapidly.

• Damaged or downed utility lines can electrify surrounding areas, leading to potential shock and fire hazards.

• Exposed electrical outlets and wiring present hidden dangers that can spark fires when least expected.

It’s also crucial to have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home, especially in sleeping areas. Test them regularly to ensure they are functioning properly, and replace batteries as needed.

Knowing what life-threatening hazards are around your home is very important and allows families to take action to prevent injuries and loss of life. 

We remind residents that our Department of Health’s Healthy Neighborhoods Program can provide free home visits to identify health and safety issues and provide free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. For more information contact Healthyneighborhoods@co.rockland.ny.us or 845-364-3290.

 

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