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Does your heater give off a ‘burning smell?’ This could be why

Space heater generic (Unsplash)

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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