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November brings beautiful fall leaves, Thanksgiving, and cold weather! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires every year are associated with the use of room (space) heaters. More than 300 persons die in these fires. An estimated 6,000 persons receive hospital emergency room care for burn injuries associated with contacting hot surfaces of room heaters, mostly in non-fire situations. Here are some important things to keep in mind when keeping warm!

-Install a smoke alarm near bedrooms and on each floor of your home. Test it monthly. If it has a 9-volt battery, change the battery once a year.
-Install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm near bedrooms and on each floor of your home. If your alarm sounds, the U.S. Consumer -Product Safety Commission suggests that you press the reset button, call emergency services (911 or your local fire department), and immediately move to fresh air (either outdoors or near an open door or window). Know the symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms, get fresh air right away and contact a doctor for proper diagnosis.
-Keep at least one dry-powder operative, ABC-type fire extinguisher in the home at all times.
-Develop a fire-escape plan before a fire occurs. Be certain that all members of the household understand the plan and are able to carry out the plan in case of emergency.
-Make sure heating equipment is installed properly. Have a trained specialist inspect and tune up your heating system each year.
-Keep portable space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including bedding, furniture, and clothing. Never drape clothing over a space heater to dry. Inspect the cord periodically for signs of fraying and damage, and do not use if this is seen.
-Avoid using extention cords with space heaters. If you must use an extension cord, it must be marked #14 or #12 A WG; this tells the thickness or gauge of the wire in the cord.
-Check periodically for a secure plug/outlet fit when using space heaters. If the plug becomes very hot, the outlet may need to be replaced by a qualified technician. This could be the sign of a potential home wiring issue.
-Heaters should be placed on a flat, level surface. Do not place heaters on furniture since they may fall and become damaged or break parts in the heater.
-Unless the heater is designed for use outdoors or in bathrooms, do not use in damp, wet areas.
-Look for the UL Mark on your electric heater. This means representative samples of the appliance have met UL's stringent safety standards.
-Keep children and pets away from space heaters. Never leave children in a room alone when a space heater is in use.
-Before you buy a kerosene heater, check with your local fire department to ensure that it is legal.
-If you use a kerosene heater, use only the fuel recommended by the manufacturer. Never put gasoline in a kerosene heater--it could explode. Never fill the fuel tank of a kerosene heater beyond the full mark because as the fuel warms, it expands and could spill and cause a fire. Before you refuel the heater, turn it off and let it cool down. Refuel outside only.
-When using a kerosene heater, keep a door open to the rest of the house or open a window slightly. This will reduce the chance of carbon monoxide build-up in the room.
-If flare-up or uncontrolled flaming occurs, do not attempt to move the heater. If your heater is equipped with a manual shut-off switch, activate the switch to turn off the heater. Do not attempt to extinguish a kerosene-heater fire with water or blankets. If activation of the shut-off switch does not extinguish the flame, leave the area and immediately call the fire department.
-Keep kerosene stored outside in a sealed blue container labeled “Kerosene.”
-Have your fireplace chimney and flue inspected each year and cleaned if needed. Open the flue and use a sturdy fireplace screen when you have a fire. Burn only untreated wood; never burn paper or pine branches--pieces can float out the chimney and ignite your roof, a neighbor's roof, or nearby trees.
-If you use a wood-burning stove, have the chimney connection and flue checked each year. Make sure the stove is placed on an approved stove board to protect the floor from heat and coals.
-Never use your range or oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
-Be aware that mobile homes require specially designed heating equipment. Only electric or vented fuel-fired heaters should be used.
Thanks to the CDC, the National Fire Protection Association, Underwriters Laboratory, Consumer Product Saftey Commission, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for many of these safety tips to prevent injuries and deaths related to heating your home