Hot topic: Practice space heater safety this winter

When cold weather hits, keeping our homes warm and comfortable is important. But staying safe is even more important.

If you plan to use space heaters to heat areas of your home this winter, follow these simple rules to make sure you and your family stay warm and safe all season long.

• Always place space heaters a minimum of three feet from anything that could catch fire (furniture, linens, curtains, etc.).
• Keep space heaters away from any area where they could be exposed to moisture.
• Ensure your space heater has a tip-over safety switch, which powers the unit off in the event of being knocked over.
• Before going to bed or leaving home, always remember to turn space heaters off.
• Space heaters should always be plugged in directly to an outlet. (Do not use extension cords with space heaters.)

One additional item to remember: Space heaters might be great for providing quick warmth, but they aren’t so great at saving energy. You can help lower your monthly bill by using space heaters as little as possible. Find out more tips on electric safety.