Using space heaters during the winter months is just one way that people use to keep warm. If you have a home that is a little drafty or, if your primary source of heat is a fireplace and there are some cold spots around your home, a space heater might be an excellent solution.

Just like with any electrical items, space heaters should be used with a level of safety in mind so that everyone is kept safe from injury, and your home isn’t at risk of catching fire.

Here are just a few ways that you can safely use space heaters inside of your home:

• Never use a space heater when it is plugged into an extension cord. Plug your space heater into a designated electrical outlet. Make sure there aren’t too many other electrical devices overload the outlet.
• When you are finished using your space heater, make sure to turn it off, unplug it, and store it until the next time that you will need to use it. It is essential that the mechanisms of your space heater are protected when it is not in use, so that there is no risk of fire next time you use it.
• Do not keep space heaters in rooms where children are left unsupervised. Various injuries could occur, but also if you children knock the space heater over and it is not put upright quickly, a serious fire could start
• Keep your space heaters at least 3 feet away from items like furniture and curtains. If these items are up against the space heater for a long period of time, they could catch fire or melt. If they melt, the residue could attach to the heater, which will create a fire the next time you use the heater.

Staying safe during the winter months is important both when you are outside and inside of your home. When you are preparing meals in your kitchen, you are sure not to cut yourself with the knife or burn yourself on the oven. Make sure that you are being just as thoughtful about space heater safety.