Ameren offers safety tips to prevent electrical fires as cold weather approaches; company highlights risks of space heaters, extension cords and provides five key prevention measures

ST. LOUIS (Oct. 29, 2024) – Ameren is reminding its customers to follow some important safety measures to prevent electrical fires this season. The use of extension cords and heating devices such as space heaters become more widely used when temperatures start to trend colder and can pose hazards if not used properly.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that electrical fires are responsible for over 46,700 electrical failure fires and 44,210 home fires caused by heating equipment. These two types of fires cause 870 deaths and 2,700 injuries on average each year in the U.S. These fires result in an estimated $2.3 billion in dollars lost. Home heating fires are one of the lowest home fire causes, however, these fires cause the most deaths occurring typically in bedrooms while individuals are asleep.

“We encourage our customers to do a safety check of electric appliances, cords, and heating equipment in their home prior to colder weather arriving,” said Tim Frankenberg, fire safety engineer for Ameren. “It's reported that over half of these fires occur during November through February, and a majority occur between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. It's important to keep your family safe by following these electrical fire safety prevention tips".

Ameren's Top Five Electrical Fire Safety Tips

• Space heaters: Keep space heaters away from furniture, bedding, drapes, other combustibles and high traffic living spaces. Make sure to only place them on level, non-combustible floor surfaces such as cement, wood or flat tile. The space heater should have a three-foot circle of safety and be plugged directly into the wall. Space heaters should be turned off at night or while sleeping.
   
• Extension cords: Use extension cords only for temporary purposes. If using an extension cord outdoors, make sure it is approved for outdoor use and there is a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). The use of extension cords should be limited as much as possible, and should never be hidden under rugs, between mattresses or under pillows. Using cords or charging phones under pillows can cause heating and a fire.
   
• Lights: If lights are flickering or dimming randomly, there may be a loose connection or faulty wiring that needs immediate attention. If switches, outlets or cords are hot to the touch, or if fuses or breakers trip, the circuit is being overloaded, which is a fire risk.
   
• Kitchen appliances: Only plug one heat-producing appliance, such as a coffee maker, air fryer or slow cooker, into an outlet at a time.
   
• Smoke alarms: Change your smoke alarm batteries when you set your clocks back for daylight saving time on Nov. 3. Review the date on the back of your detector and replace it if it is more than 10 years old.

Living and working safely is a key value for Ameren, and that extends to our customers. To learn more about how to keep you and your family safe, visit Ameren.com/Safety.

About Ameren Corporation
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.4 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution services, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren.