Space heaters and fireplaces

Home heating fires are the second leading cause of fire deaths in American homes and the leading cause of dwelling fires in December and January.

Do:

• Have heaters and fireplaces inspected annually by qualified professionals.
• Make sure heaters are properly installed, maintained, and fueled.
• Keep heaters 3 feet away from anything that can burn (furniture, bedding, clothing, books, etc.).
• Use a heater only in spaces with proper ventilation, to prevent carbon monoxide build-up and poisoning.
• Turn off the heater if you smell fumes, feel dizzy, your eyes sting, or it emits sparks.
• If you smell gas, turn off the heater, open the windows, and go to another location to call the gas company.

Don't:

• Use a cell phone or flip an electrical switch on or off if you smell gas.
• Use a heater with frayed wiring or broken or out-of-place ceramic radiants.
• Store flammable liquids near a heater.
• Leave children or pets alone with a heater.
• Place clothing on top of a heater.
• Use a kitchen stove, outdoor grill, or fuel-burning apparatus to heat your apartment or home.