Many Are Using Space Heaters To Stay Warm. And That Can Be Dangerous.
December 26, 2022
Escambia County Fire Rescue is encouraging residents to practice space heater safety and know the potential risks associated with home heating equipment.
Home fires occur more in the winter months than any other time of year. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths and space heaters account for 4 out of 5 home heating fire deaths.
Follow these tips to stay safe while heating your home:
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 ft. away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
- Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use an oven to heat your home.
For portable electric heaters:
- Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
- Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.
- Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
- Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.
Heating Fire Facts:
- Most home heating fire deaths (86%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.
- The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
- The leading factor contributing to ignition for home heating fire deaths (54%) was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding.
- Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.
Need a free smoke detector in Escambia County? Call (850) 595-HERO.
Tate High Alumni Group Donates To Community Food Pantry
December 26, 2022
Tate High School Alumni group recently made a donation to the community food pantry ministry at the Crossroads Thrift Store in Molino to benefit local families. Grace Paulchek presented the food on behalf of the alumni association. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Was A Little Brighter For 20 Families Thanks To Flomaton Police
December 26, 2022
Christmas was a little brighter for 20 local families, thanks to the Flomaton Police Department.
The department held a “Fill the Cruiser” toy drive during December, collecting over 300 gifts for the families, providing Christmas toys to over 50 children.
Flomaton High School students help with the gift wrapping. Century Correctional Institution donated bicycles, and local stores provided cardboard boxes.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Merry Christmas! The Story Of The Greatest Gift Of All
December 25, 2022
Today’s lead story on NorthEscambia.com is a story that happened over 2,000 years ago today — the birth of a boy child.
It is story that was first delivered by an angelic choir. It was the news that changed the world…a Savior had been born in a little town called Bethlehem. It was a humble scene. A little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
It was the world’s first ever Christmas gift on that very first Christmas morning, the gift of a Savior with the promise of eternal life.
It’s good news for all of us on this Christmas. Good news that Emmanuel, the Lord Jesus, was born. It’s a story that was reported by Luke in the New Testament in the Bible, the widest circulated publication in history. It’s reprinted below for you to read, and for you to share the Good News with someone you care about this Christmas.
From our NorthEscambia.com family to you and yours, Merry Christmas!
- And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
- (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
- And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
- And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
- To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
- And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
- And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
- And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
- And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
- And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
- For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
- And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
- And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
- And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
- And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
- And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
- And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
- But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
- And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Christmas Morning Wreck Claims Three Lives In Escambia County
December 25, 2022
A tragic wreck early Christmas morning claimed three lives and critically injured two others in Escambia County, according to troopers.
The traffic crash happened about 12:15 am. Sunday in the area of Gulf Beach Highway and West Sunset Avenue.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 20-year old man driving a 2004 Honda car was traveling west on Gulf Beach Highway when he lost control, ran off the side of the road, and overcorrected. The Honda crossed back into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into a 2019 Ford SUV.
The 20-year old man, his 19-year old passenger and a 41-year old passenger in the SUV were all pronounced deceased at the scene.
A 19-year old male passenger in the Honda and the 35-year old female driver of the SUV were critically injured.
All of the victims were from Escambia County. Their names have not been released.
EREC Sees Highest Power Demand Ever Due To Christmas Eve Cold
December 25, 2022
A bitterly cold Christmas Eve morning prompted the highest-ever energy usage by Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers.
With single-digit wind chills and lows in the teens, EREC’s whole power supplier, PowerSouth, reached a higher winter peak than any other time in its history.
PowerSouth set a new all-time peak demand of 2,675 megawatts, exceeding the previous record set in 2018 of 2,458 megawatts by 10%. Peak usage remained above 2,600 megawatts for three straight hours. EREC experienced a few outages on Christmas Eve, but the cooperative said none were related to the cold weather.
“This weekend’s cold snap put a strain on several utilities across the southeast,” said Ryan Campbell, CEO for EREC. “Cold weather increases demand as people turn up the heat, especially overnight and in the morning during freezing temperatures, combined with the regular use of other large appliances. Fortunately, we were able to meet the historic demand in our area.”
During this cold snap, EREC is encouraging members to keep costs low and keep flowing reliably to everyone this Christmas season by following these steps.
- Lower thermostats by just one or two degrees to keep your home comfortable while saving energy.
- Turn off lights, devices and electronics that are not in use.
- Delay household chores like laundry or washing dishes, especially during peak times when it is very cold, if possible.
“Anything our members can do to help lower energy use helps our entire community as we continue to bring dependable power to you,” said Campbell.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Bratt Elementary First Graders Make The Cutest Ugly Christmas Sweaters
December 25, 2022
First grade students at Bratt Elementary recently made the cutest ugly sweaters.
The students invited their parents and other special guests to visit the school for a fun activity making the arts and crafts ugly Christmas sweaters.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Navy Federal Employees Deliver Smiles For Christmas
December 25, 2022
Navy Federal Credit Union employees made the holidays a little brighter for 115 local families in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this year through their annual Project Neighbors: Holiday Giving Program. Team members use paid volunteer hours to shop for items, wrap them and deliver gifts to families.
“Navy Federal helped me in a way that I didn’t know was possible,” one recipient said. “I am very grateful for this company.”
Project Neighbors is part of Navy Federal’s flagship School Partnerships Program, which partners with local public schools and nonprofit organizations, like Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Arc Gateway and Boys and Girls Club, to identify families in need during the Christmas season.
“Being able to help families have a happy holiday brings my team and I such joy,” said Elizabeth Haymans, project coordinator at Navy Federal. “To deliver gifts, to show others this community cares, to ensure so many children get to experience the joy of the season, it really fits our mission of service.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa And Mrs. Claus Made Christmas Eve Run Through Century
December 25, 2022
Santa and Mrs. Claus made a quick run on a cold Christmas Eve morning through Century and Byrneville, thanks to the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue. They traveled through several neighborhoods on a fire truck, made several roadside stops, and visited with residents at the nursing home. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Family’s Home Destroyed By Fire In Bratt; State Fire Marshal Investigating Cause
December 24, 2022
The Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of a fire that left a family without a home Friday evening in Bratt
The fire was reported about 5 p.m. in the 4100 block of Still Road, about 1.5 miles south of West Highway 4. The mobile home was almost fully involved when the first firefighters arrived on scene.
There were no injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill, Molino, McDavid and Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
The fire will be represented by another red bulb in Escambia County Fire Rescue’s Keep the Wreath Green fire safety campaign. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage in December, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one in wreaths at fire stations across the county to remind citizens of fire dangers.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
