CFO & State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis Issues Heating Safety Alert

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, as Floridians across the state face the possibility of freezing cold temperatures tonight, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis offers fire safety precautions to take when families use their space heaters, wood burning stoves and fireplaces. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), heating is the second leading cause of U.S. home fires, deaths and injuries and December, January and February are the peak months for heating fires.

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “As temperatures are predicted to get below freezing in many parts of Florida, I am encouraging Floridians to be aware of the fire dangers associated with space heaters, as they’re the equipment most often involved in home heating fires. By following a few simple heating safety tips and precautions, you can avoid accidents and keep your family safe and warm during the winter months.”

Five Heating Fire Safety Tips:

1. Keep objects away from heaters and fireplaces. Keep flammable objects at least three-feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater. Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
2. Keep fireplaces and chimneys clean. Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
3. Never leave a fire unattended. Remember to extinguish fireplaces and turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
4. Do not use your oven to heat your home. Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to your local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Use carbon monoxide detectors. Since carbon monoxide can be produced by a number of fuel-burning devices, it’s important to have carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home. This will ensure every person in the home can hear and be alerted to the emergency.

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis 
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and on X (@FLDFS).