From 2010-2012, an average of 45,200 home heating fires occurred in the United States each year and resulted in an annual average of approximately 155 deaths, 625 injuries and $351 million in property loss.

Safety Tips to Maintain a Fire-Safe Winter

Space Heaters

• Keep anything that can burn, such as bedding, clothing and curtains, at least 3 feet away from the heater.
• Make sure the heater has an automatic shut-off, so if it tips over, it shuts off.
• Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
• Plug portable heaters directly into outlets and never into an extension cord or power strip.
• Only use portable heaters from a recognized testing laboratory.

Fireplaces

• Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace to prevent embers or sparks jumping out.
• Do not burn paper in your fireplace.
• Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.
• Put ashes in a metal container with a lid, outside, at least 3 feet from your home.

Wood Stoves

• Make sure your wood stove is 3 feet from anything that can burn.
• Do not burn paper in your wood stove.
• Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.
• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a professional.

Furnaces

• Have your furnace inspected each year.
• Keep anything that can burn away from the furnace.
  

Kerosene Heaters

• Only use kerosene heaters from a recognized testing laboratory.
• Make sure the heater has an automatic shut-off, so if it tips over, it shuts off.
• Refuel your cooled heater outside.