Home heating safety tips during cold weather

Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths. Half of home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February. Some simple steps can prevent most heating-related fires from happening.

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• NEVER use an extension cord with an electric space heater.
• Make sure your space heater has a “tip-over” cut-off switch.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Never bring a gas or charcoal grill inside to heat your home.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.
• Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Test smoke/fire/carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.
• Make sure you have smoke/fire alarms on each floor of your home, including the basement. Install a smoke/fire alarm in each bedroom as well.

Here are some additional tips about home heating safety from the National Fire Prevention Administration.