TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — As Floridians crank up the heat this week, fire departments are making sure homeowners know what they could encounter if they’re flipping the switch for the first time this season.
They’re reminding homeowners that when it’s cold outside, safety inside the home is essential.
Many people have been caught off guard by their fire alarms going off moments after their heat kicks on.
HVAC technicians say a thick layer of dust could be the reason why.
“You get debris and dust through the summer that runs through the system,” Billy Blount said. “You get particles and microns that bypass the filter. If this isn’t properly maintained and cleaned, people will turn (on) the heat and they’ll call us and say, ‘My house on fire,' but that’s because it’s burning all of that debris off of the coils.”
Technicians encourage homeowners to have maintenance done on their HVAC system once or twice a year during spring or fall.
“When this coil gets dirty, it’s like the lungs for our body,” Blount said. “For the A/C unit, air has to move through that unit for that air flow just like how our lungs are.”
Tampa Fire Rescue is also warning homeowners about the dangers of space heaters when left unattended.
The agency posted the following alert on social media:
"Space heaters cause 1/3 of home heating fires & 4 out of 5 home heating fire deaths. If you use a space heater:
-Keep a 3-foot child and pet-free zone around the heater.
-Plug your heater directly into the wall outlet. Don't use an extension cord.
-Turn off your space heater when you leave your home or go to bed.
No matter what the temperature is, have working smoke alarms on every level of your home; inside and outside sleeping areas. Test your alarms each month to make sure they are working."
