As winter approaches and temperatures drop, Beaufort County Emergency Services is urging residents to exercise caution when heating their homes.

“It’s that time of year when everyone turns on the heat, lights the fireplace or breaks out a portable heater to keep warm,” Beaufort County Emergency Management Coordinator DC Linton said. “When used responsibly, these methods can be safe and effective. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Each holiday season, we see families lose everything in fires caused by heating sources.”

Here are some tips you can follow to help keep your household safe.

Portable heater safety

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that from 2019 to 2021, portable heaters — including electric space heaters — were linked to an average of 1,600 fires each year, causing about 70 deaths and 160 injuries annually.

• Keep a 3-foot safety zone around a portable heater. This means keeping the device at least three feet away from drapes, furniture, bedding and any other flammable materials. Don’t leave items on top of the heater, even for a short period of time.
• Never leave a portable heater running unattended.
• Place heaters on a stable surface, in a location where children and pets cannot knock them over.
• Never plug a portable heater into a power strip or extension cord. Always plug it into a wall outlet.
• Never use a portable heater with a damaged cord.

Fireplace safety

• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a certified professional annually.
• Extinguish the fire before leaving your house or going to bed.
• Keep the area around your fireplace free of debris, decorations and other flammable materials.
• Make sure your fireplace has a screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room.
• Allow ashes to cool completely before disposing of them.

Carbon monoxide awareness

• Install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be produced by heaters, fireplaces and generators. It can be deadly if undetected.
• Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. These include headaches, dizziness, nausea and confusion. If you suspect that carbon monoxide poisoning has occurred, leave the house and call 911 immediately.

By following these tips, you can help keep your household safe and comfortable in the months to come.