Space Heaters and Fireplaces

Space Heaters

Used improperly, a space heater can be the most dangerous appliance in your house.

  • Install and maintain heating equipment correctly. Have your furnace inspected by a professional prior to the start of every heating season .
  • Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed, and keep children and pets well away from them.
  • When lighting a gas space heater, strike your match first, then turn on the gas.
  • Don't store newspapers, rags, or other combustible materials near a furnace, hot water heater, space heater, etc.
  • Don't leave space heaters operating when you're not in the room.
  • Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that might burn, including the wall.
  • Don't use extension cords with electrical space heaters. The high amount of current they require could melt the cord and start a fire.
  • Never use a gas range as a substitute for a furnace or space heater.
Space Heater Clip Art

Fireplaces

  • Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces.
  • Leave glass doors open while burning a fire.
  • Have your chimney inspected by a professional prior to the start of every heating season and cleaned to remove combustible creosote build-up if necessary.
  • Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris in your fireplace or wood stove.
  • Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended.
  • Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
  • Don't store newspapers, kindling, or matches near the fireplace or have an exposed rug or wooden floor right in front of the fireplace.
  • When lighting a gas fireplace, strike your match first, then turn on the gas.
Fireplace Clip Art