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Heating fire safety tips for the start of winter

Give heaters space.
12 inches for baseboard heaters and 3 feet for portable space heaters.
Give your heaters space

Home heaters are working extra hard with the cold weather we are experiencing. Heating-related fires are the second most common type of fires this time of year. As a reminder, make sure to give your heaters space and consider taking these precautions to prevent heating-related fires in your home.

  • Give your heaters space. Do not put anything close to any type of heater.
  • Never use an extension cord with a portable heater. Plug the heater directly into a wall outlet.
  • Make sure your portable heater is tested by an independent testing laboratory and has an automatic shut off feature if it tips over.
  • Turn portable heaters off before leaving the room or before going to bed.
  • Never permit any item to drape across heaters.
  • Clean or replace furnace filters regularly.
  • Inspect all heating equipment yearly and always hire an experienced electrician to do any necessary repair work on your baseboard heaters.

Learn more:

Heating Fire Safety Handout

NFPA Heating Safety Tip Sheet