12/05/2025
A timely safety-reminder from the Kinney County Sheriff's Office, as the nights turn colder.
Nights are getting a little frosty in the Kinney County area, and it's a good time to remind folks to keep their personal safety in mind when using space heaters within the home.
This is especially true given the fact that there are still some homes in the area-- in town--and out on ranches-- using the old school, classic natural gas-fed space heaters with open flames and ceramic tiles.
These classic beauties work.
They'll heat a room up toasty warm like no other. But, when pets, small children, or mobility challenged seniors are involved, the welcome heat from the open flame has the potential to become a very dangerous mix.
And it's not just the risk of accidental fires that you need to worry about, but also the possibility of a gas leak and/or carbon monoxide poisoning.
These heaters are ‘unvented,’ which means they release carbon monoxide and moisture directly into the room. In a tightly sealed modern or retrofitted home, that can quickly turn deadly. Never use a classic style heater without a working carbon-monoxide detector in the same room and crack a window if possible.
If you get a strange headache or feel nauseous-- it could be carbon monoxide poisoning. Call 9-1-1 immediately and get fresh air.
Even modern space heaters come with some risk. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there were an average of 1600 house fires a year between 2019 and 2021 involving space heaters. They further estimate an average of 70 related deaths associated with those fires.
ConsumerReports.com recommends the following safety tips for using modern electrical space heaters:
Place the heater on a hard, level, and nonflammable surface. These appliances are intended to sit on the floor, not on a table.
Establish a 3-foot kid- and pet-free zone around the heater and never put a space heater in a child’s room.
Keep the space heater at least 3 feet away from combustible materials, such as furniture, bedding, and curtains. A taller heater may need to be even farther away.
Don’t use a heater in a workshop or garage, or in a space with any flammable paints, gas cans, or matches.
Turn the heater off when you leave the room or go to bed.
Unplug the heater when it’s not in use by pulling the plug straight from the outlet. Check the cord for damage periodically, and don’t use the heater if the cord is frayed or worn.
Never use an extension cord or power strip with a space heater—plug it directly into a wall outlet.
Install working smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every bedroom and test them monthly.
