Missouri officials are urging residents to take extra precautions as dangerous cold settles over the state for several days, increasing the risk of deadly home heating fires.
Space heaters remain a leading concern. Fire safety experts stress that these devices are only meant to supplement a home’s primary heating system, not replace it. Anyone without reliable heat is encouraged to stay with friends or family during the extreme cold.
Authorities highlight that space heaters are involved in one‑third of all home‑heating fires and account for 80% of home‑heating fire deaths.
To reduce the risk:
• Turn off portable heaters when leaving a room or going to bed
• Never plug a space heater into a power strip or multi‑plug
• Keep heaters clear of anything that can burn and place them on a flat, stable surface
With temperatures expected to remain dangerously low, officials urge Missourians to put safety first and review home‑heating guidance from the Missouri Division of Fire Safety.
