Heat safely while keeping warm during the winter months

There's nothing better than that cozy feeling that our heaters provide us with when the weather is cold and harsh. As we chase away the chill in our homes with our heating systems, let's not forget the risks involved. Heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in U.S. homes. These homes include one- and two-family homes and apartments. Nearly half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, and February. Space heaters, including wood stoves, account for the overwhelming majority of fatal and non-fatal injuries in home heating fires.

Here are some tips for keeping safe.

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet (one-metre) away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable heater.
• Have a three foot (one-metre) “Kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

You can find more tips and resources in the heating section of the NFPA website.