With the temperatures dipping into the teens in the next few days, many people will be trying to keep warm. And that usually includes portable space heaters. Lima Fire Department officials say to make sure your heater has a tip-over shut-off safety mechanism and that it has been approved by the Underwriters Laboratory. They also say to keep heaters in plain sight with nothing around them.

Thanksgiving is a week away, and while you may have a lot of friends and family coming over, don't unexpectedly add the fire department to your guest list. Cooking fires are three times more common on turkey day than on any other day of the year. Fire officials say to stay alert while you are cooking. People can get distracted while getting their home ready for guests, but that is when a spill in the oven or on the stove could lead to something bigger. Also, keep paper towels and napkins away from heated surfaces, and if you plan on deep frying a turkey, the Lima Fire Department has this advice.

If you use central heat, a fireplace, or some other heating source.  Fire prevention officials say to get it check before it gets put into use this Winter.

Lima 6th Ward Councilman Derry Glenn is in urgent need of donations of air conditioners as a long-duration heat wave scorches the region. Glenn says he is currently out of air conditioners to install inside apartments and homes without proper means of effective cooling. The shortage of air conditioners comes as Glenn has received over 25 calls for help. And those calls extended as far as Wapakoneta, Delphos, and Cridersville during a stretch of temperatures well into the 90s. With the unrelenting heat, Glenn says the need is critical in order to protect health and prevent heat-related illnesses.