Safety tips to keep warm during cold front

CUTLER BAY, Fla. (WSVN) -- Officials are sharing several safety tips to keep in mind during a cold front.

A home in Cutler Bay was declared a total loss after a propane space heater caught fire. "Nationwide, last year, more than 500 people lost their lives in structure fires at home that were caused by heating devices," said Broward Sheriff's Office spokesperson Dani Moschella.

The Broward County Sheriff's Office is using the recent cold snap in South Florida to remind the public how to stay safe. "Every year we do have a very few cold nights and a few cold days, at that point we usually see people making mistakes," said Moschella.

Officer Moschella said using candles and stoves to say warm can be deadly. "Down here, it gets cold for a day or two, and we tend to plug in those portable space heaters. We drag the grills inside and turn them on. We light candles, we light the fire and that can be very dangerous," said Moschella.

Safety officials recommend you place your space heater at least three feet away from anything that can burn. "You can't just turn them on and turn around. You need to have them in an open area where there's not going to be any curtains, paper, any fabric, pets or children near them either," said Moschella.

Another tip: Install a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home.

Cold snaps in South Florida don't happen very often, but it is always good to use common sense to keep your families safe and warm. "We need to stop and think what's the smart thing, what's the safe thing for myself and my family," said Moschella.

Several tips to keep in mind:

- Have gas heaters and other gas appliances checked for leaks or damage.

- Check and clean air conditioners for any dust that could spark a fire when turned on for the first time.

- Keep space heaters at least three feet away from furniture, walls and drapes.

- Never use space heaters in sleeping areas.

- Do not burn anything in the fireplace other than firewood.

- Burn candles in a sturdy holder and extinguish all flames when leaving a room or at bedtime.

- Keep children and pets away from any flame or fire source.

- Review and practice your family's fire escape plan.

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