The winter chill is setting in, and with it comes the issue of safely heating your homestead.

Temperatures dropped into the single digits this morning. When that happens, people often seek warmth from supplemental heaters.

But beware, fire officials warn.

“Space heaters account for nearly three-quarters of home fire fatalities, two-thirds of the injuries and more than half of property damage,” said John McArdle, president of the Carbon County Fire Chiefs Association.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment fires account for the majority of home fire deaths, and half of the year’s home heating equipment fires happen from December to February.

Add the threat of carbon monoxide leaks from faulty or malfunctioning equipment, and you’ve got a deadly set of circumstances for the chilliest months of the year.

Precautions

So how can you ensure the safety of your family while keeping everyone comfortably warm?

Check fire and carbon monoxide alarms throughout your home at least once a month, make sure you replace the batteries, and note when you have done so. Invest in a fire extinguisher, and know how to use it in case of emergency.

The Consumer Safety Products Commission warns that “heating equipment and portable generators are among the top contributors to carbon monoxide deaths.”

The commission warns that people schedule a yearly professional inspection of all fuel-burning home heating systems.

Keep flammable items at least 3 feet away from the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or space heater, and always keep children and pets away from these devices.

“Space heaters continue to be the most dangerous, at least in terms of injuries and fatalities. And the major reason for space heater blazes — the heater was too close to something that could catch fire. Space heaters need space,” McArdle said. “Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least three feet away from heating equipment.”

If you are using a portable heating unit, make sure that you unplug it when you leave a room.

McArdle also recommends checking your heater to make sure it is tested and approved by an independent laboratory, and is approved for use in your community. Visit the Consumer Safety Product Commission website every now and again for heater recalls and warnings.

Watch for spills

And if you are using a unit that runs on a liquid fuel, be especially careful when it comes to refills.

“Never refuel a kerosene heater when it is operating or hot,” Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company President Rory Koons said. “Avoid spills and where possible, refuel outdoors. Make sure fuels are properly stored in an approved metal safety can.”

When plugging in the power cord on a space heater, make sure that the outlet you are using has sufficient capacity. Don’t overload a wall socket with a high amperage heater and other devices, as this can potentially trip your breaker, or cause a more serious problem.

“Know your house, and know what your limitations are,” Shawn Kresge of Shawn Kresge Services said. “You could potentially burn up a wire in a wall and cause a fire.”

In order to cut down on the chance that your heater can cause such an issue, Kresge recommends using items like space heaters as they are intended to be used.

“Use them as temporary heat sources, not as a primary source for heat all year ‘round,” he said.

Thankfully, home heating fires have been in decline since 1982. The National Fire Protection Association attributes this to “safer equipment, better building codes, wider use of smoke alarms, somewhat warmer winters and public education.”

With a few simple precautions, you too can ensure that your holiday season won’t be ruined by a fire.