Is it just us, or has it been FREEZING the past few days??  However you heat your home, make sure to follow these tips to do so safely:

Portable Heaters:

• Turn portable heaters OFF when you go to bed or leave the room.
• Keep anything that can burn at LEAST 3 feet away from your space heater. This includes bedding, clothing, curtains, etc.
• Plug portable heaters directly into wall outlets, NEVER into an extension cord or power strip.
• Inspect and replace damaged cords, broken outlets, or loose connections.
• Use portable heaters with an automatic shutoff so if they tip over they turn OFF.
• Only use portable heaters approved by a recognized testing laboratory.

Fireplaces and Wood Stoves:

• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from your fireplace or wood stove.
• Have a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around fireplaces and wood stoves.
• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a qualified professional.
• Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy glass or metal screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.
• Do not operate a wood stove with the door of the stove open.  Only open the wood stove door when starting the fire or adding wood.
• Do not burn paper in your fireplace.
• Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.
• Ashes should be completely cool before emptying out the fireplace or wood stove and should be stored in a metal container with a lid.  Put this container outside, at least 3 feet from your home.
• Burn dry, seasoned wood.
• Do not burn paper in your fireplace.
• Always keep oxygen tanks at least 5 feet away from a heat source or open flame.

Gas Furnaces:

• Have your furnace inspected and tuned up annually by a qualified professional.
• Test your carbon monoxide alarms. A carbon monoxide leak is one of the biggest safety concerns of a malfunctioning furnace.
• Keep the area around your furnace clear, especially of flammable products or materials.
• Change your furnace’s air filter when it’s dirty.  A dirty air filter restricts oxygen flow to your furnace, which can overwork your system and increase the risk of a carbon monoxide leak.
• Check for drafts.  If your pilot light seems to go out often, make sure there aren’t any drafts preventing it from staying lit.
• If you detect the smell of gas or suspect gas feed or valve issues, call a furnace professional!