Berkeley Officials Stress Safety Precautions For Space Heaters

BERKELEY, NJ — Township officials are urging people to take safety precautions with their space heaters nearly one week after a five-alarm fire devastated a Bronx building and claimed the lives of at least 17 people.

A malfunctioning electric space heater — plugged in to provide extra heat on a cold morning — is "certain" to have caused the deadly fisre, according to FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the tragic loss in New York City over the weekend,” officials said. “As these brutally cold temperatures remain in our area. Mayor Carmen Amato would like to remind all about the safety of space heaters should you need one.”

Here are space heater safety tips provided by Mayor Amato:

• Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory.
• Keep the heater at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including people.
• Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
• Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
• Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
• Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit.
• Keep children away from the space heater.
• Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.
• Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed.

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