SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – With cold weather making its way into Central Florida this weekend, many people are getting ready to bring out their heaters.
However, some might notice a “burning smell” when using it for the first time, according to the Seminole County Fire Department.
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Fire officials said they received a call from the Hawthorne Glenn Townhomes in Oviedo on Friday night regarding this issue, so they issued a release to remind locals about heater safety.
The release says that when people use a heater for the first time, dust settling on the heating coil can cause it to emit a burning odor.
As such, fire officials asked people not to panic if they notice such a smell.
However, anyone who notices smoke or flames is urged to evacuate and call 911.
The National Fire Protection Association offers the following tips to keep safe when using heaters.
- Keep anything flammable (including children) at least 3 feet away from heating equipment
- Never use your oven to heat your home
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned annually by a qualified professional
- Turn off portable heaters before leaving a room or going to bed
- Always use the right kind of fuel — specified by the manufacturer — for fuel-burning space heaters
- Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to block sparks
- Test smoke alarms at least once each month
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