Winter is the time of year when most structure fires are caused by heat sources nationwide, so officials are offering fire prevention tips to help Santa Clarita residents prevent the loss of their homes.
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From 2013-2015, an average of 45,900 home heating fires occurred in the United States each year, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
These fires caused an annual average of approximately 205 deaths, 725 injuries and $506 million in property loss, according to FEMA.
“Three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms,” according to a Los Angeles County Fire Department news release.
Heating was the second leading cause of home fires throughout the United States, after cooking.
Heating equipment was involved in one of every five home fire deaths throughout the nation, the news release said.
Statistics show that home heating fires peaked in the early evening hours between 5 and 9 p.m., with the highest peak between 6 and 8 p.m., officials said.
“This four-hour period accounted for 29 percent of all home heating fires,” FEMA officials said. “Home heating fires peaked in January — 21 percent — and declined to the lowest point from June to August.”
A total of 29 percent of the nonconfined home heating fires — fires that spread past the object of origin; for instance, a space heater — could have been prevented, according to officials.
These fires start because things like space heaters or fireplaces were too close to objects in homes that could easily ignite.
Even though space heaters are more commonly used in the midwest and east coast, it is important to know how to use them properly in Santa Clarita, according to officials.
“Space heaters, give it space,” said Joey Marron, an inspector for the LA County Fire Department. “When using space heaters, make sure there are three feet around the heater.”
For Santa Clarita residents who may experience their house catching fire, the LACoFD has a few tips to help prevent major injury.
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