Local Experts Offer Advice on Space Heaters this Winter

HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Chilly temperatures in middle Georgia have residents scrambling to local stores in search of space heaters.

Local experts want everyone to be safe when using the heaters.

41NBC caught George Jackson taking out space heaters.

He’s the store manager at an Ace Hardware store in Bibb County.

“We really just try to prepare people to prevent the problems by having heaters,” Jackson said.

He says the freezing temperatures are bringing the customers in by the dozens, and he’s making sure they stay stocked with heating supplies.

“It’s definitely our cold weather season, firewood, heaters, insulation, and propane gas. Some people use that to heat their homes. That’s the majority of our sales this time of year,” Jackson said.

Recently, house fires have broken out all over middle Georgia. Some of the fires were caused by space heaters.

“They normally recommend 3 feet away from like bedding, couches, draperies, anything like that. I would say 5 feet. You know the fire department we’re going to side on the side of safety anyway,” Houston County Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Knowles said.

He said people can’t use the heaters to warm up their entire house.

“It is not permanent heating in a house. If you don’t have heating you shouldn’t use a space heater to heat the house with,” Knowles said.

“Check the cords on those existing heaters if you do have those old heaters that don’t have those automatic shutoffs,” Jackson said.