Bitter cold weather coupled with a double-digit unemployment may mean many in Richmond County are being forced to rely on space heaters and other available heating sources.

These sources of heat, however, can pose a greater fire hazard than central heat, especially in the older homes, fire officials say.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, heating equipment fires accounted for more home fires than anything besides cooking.

Rockingham Fire Department Captain Vic McCaskill said that in recent years the incidence of this type of fire has gone down in this area, but it remains a concern.

“Throughout the years, many appliance manufacturers have begun to put safety devices on appliances, like your kerosene heaters, so we don’t see the same number of accidents as we used to,” McCaskill said. “Usually, what happens now is just human error— common sense things like using the wrong fuels or throwing clothes over the top of the heater.”

He explained the Rockingham Fire Department offers the following tips on using space heaters:

Always burn the fuel suggested by the manufacturer of the space heater, and be careful to avoid using a fuel receptacle that previously contained another fuel, like pouring kerosene into a gas can.

Only use space heaters in a well-ventilated area to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning given off in the fumes from the heater.

Keep the unit at least three foot away from combustibles, such as paper, curtains and other household items capable of catching fire.

Check the wick on the space heater regularly, and adjust if thick, black smoke begins to come from the wick.

Do not knock the heater onto its side, because fuel can escape and ignite.

Space heaters are one of the more popular alternative heat sources for those who can’t afford conventional measures, but others turn to fireplaces and the oven as other sources of heat.

“If you have a fireplace, the key thing is to make sure that the dampers are open when you burn in it,” McCaskill said. “We had some calls last year where people started a fire and didn’t realize they hadn’t opened the damper.”

The damper on a fireplace allows the smoke to escape up the chimney when open, and seals the fireplace from animals, precipitation and outside air when closed.

He said the Rockingham Fire Department also suggests those who burn a fire always use a screen in front of the fireplace to keep coal and ashes from popping out onto the floor.

He said ovens and stoves also pose a fire hazard, because the area around the appliance could heat up and potentially catch fire.

“When you use something like that, it’s key that you turn it off before you fall asleep,” McCaskill said.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.