An urgent pleading of safety from Coroner Jimmy Roberts.

As temperatures drop, many households turn to alternative or unconventional heating sources to stay warm. Space heaters, propane heaters, wood stoves, and temporary heating in garages, sheds, bedrooms, or other areas not designed for it can create serious risks. These heat sources can produce pollutants, toxins, and dangerous gases that are unseen and often undetected until a critical situation occurs.

Electrical heating also carries hidden dangers. Space heaters draw high amounts of power and can overload outlets, extension cords (always unspool!), and power strips (never combine). Using heaters on extension cords, running multiple heaters on one circuit, or plugging them into older wiring can cause breakers to trip, wiring to overheat, or fires to start inside walls. Tripped breakers are not just an inconvenience. They are often a warning sign that too many amps are being pulled through a circuit.

This time of year is when these tragedies occur. Every winter, preventable injuries and deaths happen quietly while people sleep or go about their daily routines, unaware of the buildup of toxic gases, heat, or electrical stress in their homes.

Please use heaters only as designed, avoid extension cords, keep heat sources away from flammable materials, ensure proper ventilation, and install working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Check on elderly neighbors, families, and anyone using temporary heat.

A simple safety check or conversation can prevent a tragedy. Let us look out for one another and help keep our community safe this winter.

~Bingham County Coroner's Office