Apartment Fire Safety February 2021

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 02/11/2021 09:56 AM PST

February 2021 Apartment Fire Safety

Burn Awareness Week: Electrical fire safety

February 7-13, 2021 is National Burn Awareness Week and is sponsored by the American Burn Association. The theme for this year is electrical burns. One of the most common electrical fire issues we encounter involves the use of portable space heaters and extension cords. The two should never be used together. Always plug portable heaters directly into an outlet.

do not use extension cords with space heaters

Here are a few safety tips to prevent injuries at home.

More electrical fire safety information from the NFPA

Heating Fire Safety

As cold weather hits the Seattle area this week, our heaters will be working extra hard to keep us warm. Heating is the second leading cause of home fires. Each year, the Seattle Fire Department responds to hundreds of heating-related fires.

Heaters need space. One of the most common heating issues is related to combustibles that are too close to heaters. The Seattle Fire Department recommends one foot clearance between baseboard heaters and all combustibles, including curtains, furniture, books, and beds. Space heaters need three feet clearance and should never be plugged into an extension cord.

Heating safety information from the USFA

For questions or more information, contact the Seattle Fire Department.

Virtual apartment fire safety presentations

The Seattle Fire Department is providing free virtual fire safety presentations to apartment residents and staff. Presentations for residents cover how to respond to a building fire alarm, what to do if a fire starts inside an apartment, and how to prevent and respond to a cooking fire on the stove. Staff members can learn the ways to assist the fire department before and during a fire emergency.

For more information or to schedule a presentation contact Public Affairs.