A #local St. Augustine apartment fell victim to a fire started by a kerosene powered space heater. While this is an isolated incident, we wanted to take a moment to give you some safety tips regarding space heaters. 

Space heaters that require fuel should be handled and used with extreme caution. While fuel powered space heaters are more efficient at heating a large space, there are certain things you must do to protect yourself from a potential fire. 

Never (ever) leave space heaters running without supervision. It's understandable that you don't want to come home to a cold house, but leaving a space heater running with no one around is extremely dangerous. Space heaters may overheat which could ignite the fuel and cause a fire.

Here are some helpful tips to keep your home safe:

1: Always make sure the space heater is turned off before refueling

2: Remove the space heater from the residence before refueling. Never refuel inside the house!

3: Allow the space heater adequate time to cool down. Refueling a space heater while it is still hot can cause an explosion. If you spill gas onto one of the hot parts of the space heater, it could easily ignite.

4: Make sure to check if the space heater you are using is approved for indoor use. Most fuel powered space heaters are designed for outdoor use only!

5: Always be sure to double check that your home fire extinguishers are charged and that the expiration date has not passed.

6: Do not place space heaters on carpets or other flammable fabrics. Make sure the space heater is not in a confined space where it may overheat

7: Electric space heaters should never be plugged in if the room is damp. Humid air can caused the space heater to short, leading to an electrical fire.

8: Always make sure that electric space heaters are plugged into an outlet. Extension cords increase the risk of shorting.

9: Before purchasing any space heater, make sure that the space heater has passed safety tests in the United States. The easiest way to tell is to check for an Underwriters Laboratory Label (UL).

Be safe, St. Augustine friends!