Tainan, Taiwan — As temperatures drop sharply in recent days, many residents have turned to electric heaters to stay warm. However, the Tainan City Fire Department is urging the public to use heaters with extreme caution, warning that improper use can easily lead to fires.
The reminder follows a residential fire that broke out in late January on Ziyou Road in Tainan’s East District. The blaze occurred around midnight on the second floor of a rented townhouse, sending flames and thick smoke upward. Multiple residents were forced to flee the building. Nine occupants either escaped on their own or were rescued by firefighters, while three adults — one man and two women — suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital. Fortunately, none sustained life-threatening injuries.
Firefighters said initial emergency calls reported people trapped inside the building. Rescue teams simultaneously fought the fire and searched for occupants, successfully preventing further casualties. Subsequent investigations by the fire department determined that the fire was caused by the improper use of an electric heater by one of the residents.
With cold weather continuing, the Tainan City Fire Department emphasized that electric heaters are commonly used during winter and can pose serious fire hazards if safety guidelines are ignored. Authorities have issued the following safety reminders to help residents prevent similar incidents:
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Keep heaters at least one meter away from flammable items such as blankets, clothing, curtains, tissues, and sofas.
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Never use heaters to dry clothes or cover them with fabric, as this may cause overheating and ignition.
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Ensure proper ventilation, especially in enclosed spaces, to prevent oxygen depletion or carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Place heaters on stable, flat surfaces to avoid tipping, and take extra care in homes with pets that may knock them over.
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Use a dedicated wall outlet for heaters, which are high-power appliances; avoid extension cords or shared outlets to prevent electrical overload.
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Turn off heaters before sleeping and never aim them toward beds, as blankets can easily catch fire.
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Always switch off and unplug heaters when leaving the room or going out.
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Do not allow young children to remain alone in rooms with operating heaters to prevent burns or accidents.
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Choose products with official safety certification and built-in features such as automatic power cut-off or tip-over protection.
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If unusual sounds, odors, or damage are detected, stop using the heater immediately and seek professional repair—never attempt to fix it yourself.
Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che and Fire Department Chief Yang Tsung-lin both called on residents to strictly follow heater safety practices. They also strongly encouraged households to install residential smoke alarms to provide early warnings in case of fire, allowing occupants to escape in time and reducing the risk of injuries and property loss.
Authorities stressed that staying warm during winter should never come at the expense of safety, and vigilance is key to preventing avoidable fires.