Winter time and cold temperatures are here!  And while you look for ways to keep your home warm, be careful to follow these helpful safety tips to prevent a disaster from occurring. 

• All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from any heaters.  Never use ovens and stoves to heat your home.
• Always turn off space heaters when leaving a room or going to bed.
• Space heaters should be plugged directly into the wall.  Power strips and extension cords will overheat too quickly when a heater is plugged in to them.
• When using a fuel-burning space heater, open a window to reduce carbon monoxide exposure and ensure proper ventilation.
• Know your community’s regulations for the use of kerosene heaters.  These are illegal in some jurisdictions.
• Always use the correct fuel for your heating appliance.  NEVER add a fuel that is not meant for that equipment.
• Burn only dry, seasoned wood in your wood-burning stove or fireplace.  It is cleaner for the environment and reduces flammable buildup in the chimney.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them inspected each year by a qualified professional.
• Remember: burning any fuel, including wood, creates carbon monoxide. Install carbon monoxide alarms that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. Installing them to manufacturer instructions will help provide early warning to related dangers.  A carbon monoxide detector is just as important as a smoke detector. Be sure to have them on each level of your residence.