CBS 5 - KPHO Space heaters keep firefighters busy

The Phoenix Fire Department says it's like clockwork.  As the temperature drops, the number of calls involving those portable, electric space heaters goes up.  Captain Scott Walker and his staff are already preparing.

"It'll be 20, 30, 40 house or apartment fires.  We see those kinds of numbers every winter," said Walker.

How it happens is unintentional.  You're on the couch wrapped in a blanket, perhaps you jump up to answer the phone, or use the bathroom, and you innocently toss the blanket aside.  If that blanket touches or winds up too close to the heater, you're in trouble.

Phoenix Fire demonstrated how quickly a cotton blanket can ignite when draped over a running space heater.  In a little over thirty seconds, smoke developed where the blanket and heater were touching.  In just over three minutes, flames began to engulf the blanket.

Walker said in a matter of 10 minutes, the entire room would likely catch fire.

"Understand the dangers of using the devices and understand that you need to be in the room if you're using them," adds Walker.

Although newer space heaters have improved safety features, there are many older models still in use, and fire officials simply want the public to be aware of the potential dangers during times of colder weather.

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