Monday, January 6, 2014
In Wake Of Fires Caution Is Urged When Using Outdoor Heat Lamps
In the wake of house fires that destroyed two Lawrence County homes in past days, authorities are advising residents to exercise caution when using outdoor heat lamps to warm pets.
At around 9:30 a.m. Friday firefighters with the Gandy, West End, West Point, Leoma, New Prospect and Crawfish Valley Fire departments answered a call to a home located at 31 Long Branch Road. Reports show that by the time they arrived the home was already fully engulfed in flames.
Firefighters worked throughout the morning, but were unable to save the structure. The home and all contents were deemed a complete loss.
It was around 1:30 Sunday morning when firefighters were summoned to a home in Summertown’s Whispering Oaks Court. Firefighters with the Summertown, Ethridge and Henryville Fire departments responded to the scene. That home was deemed a total loss, as well.
The source of both fires remains under investigation however preliminary findings prompted authorities to issue a warning regarding the use of heat lamps. Many utilize heat lamps or heat bulbs as a heating source to warm pets.
It is important to remember that a heat lamp can be a fire hazard if sufficient care is not taken. When using them there are a number of safety measures that should be heeded. Some of them are as follows:
Heat Clamps
It is vital to inspect the clamps that hold a heat lamp in place. The majority of fires caused by heat lamps are caused by collapse of the clamps. The heat generated sometimes causes the clamps to collapse, allowing it to fall onto flammable materials. This can be prevented if the heat clamps are sturdy and supportive. If the clamps appear damaged or degraded, replace the lamp.
Never place a heat lamp near flammable materials. This includes litter, paper, wood shavings, or anything else which can be combustible in hot, dry conditions. The lamp should be elevated and kept a safe distance away from any materials that could potentially cause a fire.
A heat lamp is just like any other lamp in the sense that it is unacceptable to allow moisture to get into its mechanisms. Avoid using a heat lamp in moisture-prone areas. The moisture that builds up can cause dangerous sparking in the lamp and cause it to become a fire hazard.
It is important to use a heat lamp in an appropriately powered socket. Using a heat lamp in anything above a standard 115 to 125 Volt socket can result in a blow out of the lamp and cause a dangerous sparking or shattering of the bulb.
