Checklist for Safe Heating in Winter

As the winter months come upon us and the temperature begins to plummet, there is nothing like coming in from the cold, wrapping yourself in your favorite blanket and watching the snow fall outside your window while sipping a cup of hot cocoa. Maybe you'll turn on a space heater for extra heat or use your fireplace or wood stove to warm the room.
Following is a checklist for homeowners to reduce their risk of fire in the home. Did you:

1. Have your fireplace or wood stove chimney and chimney connectors inspected at the start of the heating season and cleaned, if necessary?
2. Move anything that can burn (i.e., furniture, bedding, clothing, pets, people) at least three feet (one meter) from your heater, fireplace ,or wood stove?
3. Turn off your portable or space heater before leaving the room?
4. Keep your children and pets safely away from your portable or space heater?
5. Read the manufacturer's instructions before operating your heater?
6. Check your electric space heater for fraying or splitting wires, or overheating, and have all problems repaired by a professional before operating the heater?
7. Safely vent fueled heaters, such as portable kerosene and gas-fueled space heaters, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?
8. Turn off your portable kerosene heater and allow it to cool down before refueling, and wipe all spills promptly during refueling?
9. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to refuel your kerosene heater?
10. Select new heating equipment that bears the mark of an independent testing laboratory?
11. Ensure your heating equipment complies with local fire and building codes (i.e., is your wood stove sitting on an approved stove board to protect the floor from heat and coals)?

Lastly, add to your checklist to review your insurance with our agency. Insurance needs change as circumstances in your lives change, which is why an annual insurance review is recommended by our agency.