READING, Pa. – As bitter cold settles in across Berks County, fire officials say they’re seeing more risky heating situations inside homes.
“It is bitterly cold outside,” said Jeremy Searfoss, Fire Marshal for the City of Reading. “A lot of the residents that we serve live in buildings that are very drafty. They’re older buildings, so they’re not very energy efficient. If you do heat it, it goes right out.”
That’s when people often turn to portable heaters, and that’s when fires can happen.
“You want to always keep three feet from any kind of portable heating device,” Searfoss said. “It should be plugged directly into a wall, not an extension cord.”
According to the American Red Cross, winter is the busiest time of year for home fires. Here in Berks County alone, the agency has responded to 14 home fires, helping more than 40 people so far this season.
Fire officials are also warning against using ovens as a heat source.
“Having an oven running and having that open presents its own problems, especially for small kids,” Searfoss said. “And you can get burns.”
Officials say residents should never use an oven to heat their home, never leave space heaters unattended, and make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.
As the cold stretch continues, fire officials say simple steps can help reduce risk.
“We tell people to bundle up,” Searfoss said. “Wear blankets. You lose a lot of your heat through your head. Wear a hat if you’re inside.”
If you don’t have a safe or warm place to stay, local shelters including Opportunity House and Hope Rescue Mission in Reading are open.