Heat Safety Tips to Keep in Mind This Winter

Did you know that heating-related issues are one of the biggest causes of residential fires during the winter? Here are some home heating safety tips to keep in mind as you hunker down for these cold months.

Never Use Cooking Appliances for Heating

Using your stove, oven, or any other cooking device to heat your home or dry clothes is both expensive and dangerous. Check that all heating and cooking devices are off before leaving your home.

Use Space Heaters Safely

If you need to supplement your main heating system, look for space heaters that meet updated safety standards, such as those with a UL certification. Be sure to place the heaters on a hard, even, nonflammable surface so air can circulate under them as well as around them. Do not plug units into extension cords. Keep space heaters at least three feet away from all flammable materials.

In addition, don’t leave a space heater on while you’re sleeping; be sure to turn the unit off when you leave the room for extended periods or go to sleep. Using a unit with a timer or automatic shutoff feature can help with this.

Use Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Install smoke alarms in every room of your home along with . Replace any needed batteries at least once per year and test your alarms to be sure they work properly.

Check Your Power Cords

Never use any appliance that has a damaged cord. Check these regularly, as cords can wear out over time or be chewed by pets.

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