Did you know that heating equipment is the leading cause of home fire deaths? During the winter months, it’s enjoyable to sit fireside and read a good book, but safety must be practiced. Furthermore, space Heaters can help you save on your heating costs, but the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges people to follow these safety precautions when using electric or fuel-fired heaters and fireplaces:

• Buy a reliable heater. Look for the label stating that your space heater has been approved by an independent testing laboratory and meets safety standards. Choose models with safety features like an automatic switch that turns off the heater if it tips over.
• Place your heater in a safe location – on a hard, level surface with sufficient ventilation and at least three feet away from anything that might catch fire, like furniture, draperies, newspapers, etc. Also, keep it clear of sinks, tubs, or any other sources of water that might lead to an electric shock.
• Check your cords. Don’t use equipment with cords that are frayed or damaged in any way, and don’t plug your heater into an extension cord.
• Install and maintain alarms. Your home should have working detectors for smoke and carbon monoxide on every floor. Test them thoroughly and frequently.
• Never leave your heater unattended. Turn it off when you go to bed or leave the home.

Download a printable tip sheet on heating safety from the NFPA.

LiveSafe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. LiveSafe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable.  LiveSafe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.