With winter weather moving in, many people will be looking to stay out of the cold.

Space heaters are a common use to help add supplemental heat to a residence and Stuart Assistant Fire Chief Stephen Martinson says that while heaters can do a good job warming things up, they also can be dangerous.

“Space heaters take a pretty good percentage of household fires in the coming cold season.”

Martinson mentions that leaving open space around any heaters is crucial, because fabrics that are too close can catch fire. He also recommends that if you don’t need it, or aren’t using it, it should be unplugged.