News 12 at 11 o'clock, January 6, 2010

AUGUSTA --- Using space heaters can create a fire danger, if you're not careful. It is also the time of year where more and more people are using them. News 12's Melissa Tune shows you how to prevent careless mistakes that could cost you your life.

On Wednesday, Georgia's Fire Safety Commissioner John Oxendine was in Augusta with advice that has helped to steadily decline fire deaths across the state.

Also on Wednesday - as fire fighters battled a blaze caused by a space heater on Pecan Street, less than three miles away, Oxendine explained the dangers of using those space heaters. Oxendine and Chief Howard Willis with Richmond County Fire pointed out the red flag on several models of heaters. According to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters cause 78 percent of all heating-related deaths each year. Whether portable or stationary, they also account for one-third of home heating fires and 73% percent of home heating fire deaths in 2006, which is the last time the statistics were gathered.

"We grew up with space heaters and we get very complacent and very comfortable and careless," says Oxen dine.

But that's the problem says Chief Willis.
"We try to encourage people to read the directions and use all the safety precautions they can possibly use, "says Willis.

Chief Willis also gave news 12 a closer look at what's right and what's wrong using three different brands of heaters.

Oxendine brought up an important point. Many of us make the mistake of assuming a power strip is a surge protector.

"Spend a few extra bucks and buy a surge protector, if it doesn't say surge protector," says Oxendine.

He also scolded the many people who keep space heaters under their desks at work and at home.

"People will put them under their desk," he says. " Keep it away from something flammable, don't put it under your desk."

If you're space heater is more than 5 years old, experts say you need to replace it. At least 35 different brands of space heaters have been recalled over the past 10 years. But whether you have an old one or a new one, it just comes down to being careful.