In the past weeks, firefighters responded to two home fires caused by baseboard heaters that came into contact with some combustible materials. Fires caused by furniture, bedding, and other materials placed too close to baseboard heaters and portable heaters are the most common types of heating-related residential fires.

Here are a few tips to keep your home heating safe this winter:

• Give your heaters space – Do not put anything next to a heater.
Baseboard heaters need 1 foot clearance and portable space heaters need 3 feet clearance.
• Never use an extension cord with a portable heater.
• Turn portable heaters off before leaving the room or before going to bed.

Fire hazard – curtains and bedding too close to the heater.