LA State Fire Marshal Encourages Practicing Safe Home Heating

According to a media release from the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal (SFM), all residents are encouraged to "practice safe home heating as our state prepares to fall under varying levels of freeze this coming week".

Here are the top safe-heating tips for families that can also be found in videos on the agencies Facebook page.

Place space heaters 3-5 feet from combustible objects like blankets.
Plug all heating appliances directly into wall outlets, not power strips or extension cords.
Do not use stoves or ovens to heat homes.
Don’t overfill fireplaces/wood burning stoves.
Do not leave candles/open flames (or space heaters) left unattended.
Have working smoke alarms in your home!

The SFM’s Operation Save-A-Life program partners with local fire departments and districts to provide FREE smoke alarm installations, at any time of the year, for families in need of assistance accessing the critical emergency-alert equipment.

Not only should residents have working smoke alarms, it's important to "plan and practice escape routes for your home that include knowing two ways out of every room", said SFM.

Register for a free smoke alarm, or learn more about Operation Save-A-Life at lasfm.org.