January 14, 2025, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Commerce: Columbus, Ohio – As frigid temperatures settle into Ohio, the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Divisions of State Fire Marshal (SFM) and Industrial Compliance (DIC) are offering some simple tips on how to heat your home safely while avoiding costly repairs. With home heating equipment being one of the leading causes of fire deaths each year, Ohio Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon reminds Ohioans to make sure they keep fire prevention top of mind as they heat their homes this winter, particularly during the upcoming cold spell.

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.

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.

It's the time of year when we sit together with family, and remember what we are thankful for, but there are things you should know so you can properly cook that Thanksgiving turkey, and not your home. While you are finalizing your plans for Thanksgiving, make sure that you have safety in mind as well. Our Sartaj Singh has more on common Thanksgiving fire safety tips that often get overlooked. 

Space heaters are the go-to, and the National Fire Protection Association says they result in one-third of all winter house fires and 8 out of 10 heating fire deaths. Local fire departments say to keep the heating units at least three feet from any flammable objects. If you plan on purchasing a new space heater, ensure the product is UL listed which means it includes protective features to lower the risk of a fire if tipped over.

The first fire was in the 1500 block of South Main Street around 9:30 a.m. An electrical malfunction caused a small fire inside the home. Firefighters were able to quickly put the fire out and contain it to the one room. The damage is estimated to be around $5,000. Since it was an electrical fire, the power was shut off to the house. Because of that, the Red Cross was called in to help the family.

Lima Fire Chief Andy Heffner explains, “Your asleep, a blanket gets caught on fire and that’s one of the worse things that can happen. You’re asleep and your room is now on fire. So, if you use a space heater, an old space heater especially, please keep them away from anything that’s flammable. We’re looking at 2 to 3 feet from anything that can catch on fire.”

The Lima Fire Department says that it's important to keep flammable objects at least three feet away from the space heater to avoid starting a fire. People should also be sure to keep those heaters from falling over and have working detectors inside your home. The Lima Fire Department says they've also had reports of people without access to heat starting fires in homes to keep warm. They advise that people avoid doing so to prevent fires from damaging property.

Firefighters were called to a house fire at 821 Faurot Avenue early Monday morning.