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• Motorists likely to face more slippery roads rest of week

HUNTINGTON -- Freezing temperatures are expected through Sunday, and with that forecast comes concerns about fire safety, frozen pipes and automotive problems.

The National Weather Service predicts temperatures will not rise above 30 degrees this week, and the mercury will struggle to stay above 20 on Sunday. Overnight lows will approach single digits by Saturday night.

That forecast has many firefighters holding their breath, including Huntington Fire Capt. Jan Rader. She and others worry that the need to stay warm could place some people in harm's way.

Firefighters say a space heater likely contributed to a weekend fire that endangered six lives.

"You really need to use caution when using space heaters and other types of heating devices," Rader said. "If you're struggling with staying warm, then you use an illegal heating device and a fire starts, you're putting yourself in danger. You're compounding the problem."

Between July 2008 and June 2009, heating equipment fires ranked second only to cooking fires in terms of frequency in West Virginia. Statistics from the state Fire Marshal's Office indicate known heating-related fires accounted for 444, or 14 percent of its 8,202 fires reported during the time period. Cooking fires accounted for 19 percent.

The threat of heating-related fires, naturally, increases in the winter. The agency says heating equipment is the leading cause of house fires between December and February.

No heating equipment is immune from danger. The agency said wood stoves, fireplaces with inserts and room gas heaters all pose potential risks, along with portable electric and kerosene heaters.

The agency recommends space heaters be placed three feet from anything capable of catching fire, such as curtains, loose clothing and other items.

Other leading causes of heating-related fires include basic flaws in the construction or design of wood-burning equipment; lack of regular chimney cleaning leading to creosote build-up; and fueling errors involving liquid- or gas-fueled equipment.

"Paying close attention whenever any supplemental heating device is in use can drastically reduce these types of fires," an agency press release recommended earlier this year.

Room gas heaters, along with portable kerosene and electric heaters, pose the greatest risk for death, according to the state Fire Marshal's Office. Gas heaters are a particular concern because of unvented carbon monoxide.

Wood stoves and fireplace inserts pose the greatest risk for property damage, the state Fire Marshal's Office said.

Frozen pipes also cause some to take extreme measures. Rader said some will use blow torches to thaw frozen pipes, but she said that isn't recommended because of the increased risk of fire.

Deadly fires already occurring at a much-faster-than normal pace in Ohio in this young year, although the causes haven't been determined yet. The new year was only in its fourth day Monday, and already fires have killed nine people in Ohio in 2010.

Spokesman Shane Cartmill in the Ohio fire marshal's office said there were just two fire fatalities in the state during the first week of last year.

Cartmill says all the fatal fires since New Year's Day remain under investigation. He says there are few common threads, though many of the cases have questions about smoke detectors.

The latest death was early Monday. A 65-year-old woman was killed by a fire at a mobile home in Portsmouth in southern Ohio.

Besides trying to counteract hazards in the home, several precautions should be taken for roadway travel as well.

Ernie Perry, owner of Ernie's Automotive on 6th Avenue, reminded Tri-Staters to keep plenty of gasoline in their cars in the winter, in case they get stuck in traffic, and to keep plenty of air in their tires.

"If they get low, they'll go flat on you (when it's really cold outside)," he said. "And keep good tires on the car in case it gets slick, so you have good traction."

For people with cars at least three years old, it's also a good idea to have the anti-freeze checked, Perry said.

"Make sure all your lights are working, and make sure there's no corrosion on your battery," he said.

To prevent doors from freezing shut in an ice storm, he suggests putting a product like Armor All on the rubber seal of a door.

"You could use those Armor All wipes," Perry said. "Rub that rubber seal around the door, and that helps prevent them from freezing up like that.

"For your door locks, ... get some of that door lock lube and spray that where your key goes in, and it will keep those tumblers from freezing."

As far as being prepared in case of an emergency, he suggests making sure that you have a drink and a snack in the car at all times, and keeping a blanket and flashlight in the car.

Other winter driving tips (found on the Illinois State Police Web site):

Keep kitty litter in the car to help with traction in case your vehicle is stuck with tires spinning on snow or ice.

Keep someone informed about your travel plans, so he/she knows when and where you were expected to arrive, and the path you intended to take.

Drive carefully and defensively, watching for ice patches on bridges and overpasses. If possible, travel with one or two other people on longer trips.

If your car should become disabled, stay with the vehicle, running your engine and heater for short intervals. Be sure to crack a window in the vehicle to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

National Video

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Danielle Tye of Huntington bundles up for a walk along 4th Avenue on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, in Huntington. Below-freezing temperatures are expected for the remainder of the week in the Tri-State area.

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