Space heaters can be an easy tool to keep you warm as temperatures drop, but if they’re not used properly, they can become a fire hazard. 

According to the National Fire Protection Agency, 86% of fire deaths are attributed to stationary and portable space heaters. Perry Fire Chief Chris Hinds says giving them a little space can go a long way, “It sounds cliche, but give a space heater space. If you’ve got a space heater, whether it’s a fixed type of a space heater or a portable space heater, it needs at least three to four feet of space around them because they do put off good heat, and they generate heat on other things. That’s very easy for them to start a fire on something, especially if they’re sitting next to something that’s combustible.”

In addition to using heating devices safely, Hinds recommends making sure that smoke detectors around the home are working correctly.