Red Cross urges fire safety after responding to recent Winfield fire

The American Red Cross Midway-Kansas Chapter is urging families to be cautious when using space heaters and other heating sources and to make a plan in case of a home fire.

The safety alert comes after Red Cross volunteers responded to a house fire at 517 E. 15th Ave. at 4:54 a.m. on Friday that affected four people. It appeared the fire started around a heating unit in the attic, but according to the Winfield Fire Department, an exact cause of the fire is still undetermined. Red Cross responders helped the family recover by providing things like food, shelter, clothing and stuffed animals for children.

“We’re deeply saddened for those who’ve been affected,” said Bev Morlan, American Red Cross Midway-Kansas Chapter regional executive director.

“As we continue to provide support for those who need us, we also encourage others to take action to minimize the risk of a home fire.”

Heat sources such as space heaters, fireplaces or wood and coal stoves can pose a fire hazard. To reduce the risk of heating-related fires, the Red Cross recommends keeping anything that can burn — such as paper, bedding or furniture — at least three feet away from heating equipment and fireplaces and to never leave these unattended.

“Unfortunately, during the holidays, it is typical to see an increase in house fires because of colder temperatures,” said James Williams, American Red Cross Midway-Kansas Chapter Public Relations manager.

The Red Cross recommends the following steps to help protect your home and loved ones from a fire:

All heaters need space. Keep all things that can burn (paper, matches, bedding, furniture, clothing, carpets, and rugs) at least three feet away from heating equipment.

Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended, and use a glass or metal fire screen to keep fire and embers in the fireplace.

Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.

Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep.

Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, and chimneys inspected annually by a professional, and cleaned if necessary.

If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs, or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.

Red Cross volunteers on the scene were members of the chapter’s Disaster Action Team, a group of specially trained volunteers who respond to the scene of a local disaster when called upon at any time of the day or night. Last year, Red Cross responded to 186 fires in south-central Kansas.