Allegheny Health Network’s West Penn Hospital
West Penn Burn Center heats up talk about fire
and burn prevention
This winter, AHN’s West Penn Burn Center has partnered with
Etna Volunteer Fire Department and the Allegheny County Fire
Academy to bring you the “Give Space Heaters Space” campaign.
This campaign offers seven essential space heater safety tips along
with information from experts at the West Penn Burn Center and a
demonstration showing what can happen when a space heater is
used carelessly.
Seven tips for space heater fire safety
Burn prevention education is a primary goal of Ariel Aballay, MD,
Director of AHN’s West Penn Burn Center. The West Penn Burn Center is
the only facility in the region verified by the American Burn Association
and the American College of Surgeons for the treatment of both
pediatric and adult patients.
As temperatures begin to drop, people turn to alternative methods
of keeping warm. Space heaters are one of those methods being
used to keep loved ones warm in the home. However, as the
popularity of these devices continues to heat up, so does the risk
of fires in the home. Allegheny Health Network’s West Penn Burn
Center is working to put a stop to winter fires by focusing efforts on
fire and burn prevention education this season.
“Most of the burn injuries [we see] could be prevented. At the
West Penn Burn Center, we are fully committed to educating
the community on burn safety and fire prevention. We want our
neighbors to enjoy the winter and be safe at the same time,”
said Ariel Aballay, MD, West Penn Burn Center Director. Space
heaters cause numerous fires every winter in the Pittsburgh region,
including a 2014 fire that killed an elderly woman in her home.
Other fires resulted in severe injury including third-degree burns,
the complete destruction of homes and even death.
1. Choose a unit labeled by a nationally recognized testing
laboratory.
2. Place on a level, hard surface. Do not use on carpets.
3. Do not use in any area that could get wet.
4. Keep a three-foot distance between all heating
equipment and people, furniture, or anything
flammable.
5. Always plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet.
6. Educate your family about proper space heater use.
7. Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going
to bed.
“Our goal is to educate people on safety tips when using
space heaters. By making small conscious choices with space
heater use, the public can remain safe and warm,” said West
Penn Burn Center Outreach Coordinator Christine Perlick.
The winter months are unfortunately the leading time of year
for home fires. AHN’s West Penn Burn Center encourages
everyone to take precautions especially when it comes to
alternative heating equipment. As you stay cozy and warm
with your family this winter season, be sure to practice fire
safety in order to prevent burn injuries. For more tips from
the “Give Space Heaters Space” campaign, and to see what
can happen when space heaters are used carelessly visit
www.ahn.org/specialities/burn-center.
West Penn Hospital • 4800 Friendship Avenue • Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Contact us at www.AHn.org or call 412.DoCTorS (412.362.8677)