Fears cost of living crisis could lead to more house fires in Norfolk
Norfolk Fire has recently been called out to several serious house-fires linked to portable heaters
Last updated 28th Jun 2022
We're all being encouraged to avoid turning to portable heaters to keep warm, by Norfolk Fire and Rescue, as the prices of energy and fuel continue to rise.
It's after they've been called out to a number of serious house fires directly linked to the use of this equipment.
Last year, just 16 house fires - out of 389 across the county - were linked to portable heaters.
An investigation into the recent death of former town crier Peter Travis, who died from smoke inhalation found that there was "good evidence" the fire was caused by a portable heater coming into contact with a combustible object.
"At least a metre away from any flammable items"
Tony White is head of prevention at Norfolk Fire, he says it's vital we don't cut corners at this time: "If you are using a portable heater, we would suggest that it should only be used safely and that means it being at least a metre away from any flammable items.
"It also means it's plugged into the wall, not an extension lead, it's on a sturdy surface and that it's not used to dry washing.
"We'd also encourage people to make sure they have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. We'd also suggest that people make sure that anything like an electric blanket or portable heater is in a good working condition and not be subject to recall.
"We'd also encourage people to make sure that their products are registered using the nation products safety alerts and recalls procedure."
"We've come across piles of timber in people's living rooms"
He says rising prices are having some worrying results: "We've come across piles of timber in people's living rooms and as the cost of living crisis pushes, we don't want people to be doing that.
"If you do have open fires use them sensibly, don't take any addition risks or have flammable material near these fires.
"There's this misconception that products are cheaper to run over-night. That's not necessarily true, with the majority of households there is simply no difference if products are run during the day or night time. We'd like you to be alert and awake when these goods are being used."