Stay warm this winter, but heed heater safety tips

OK, the holidays are over and winter has settled in for the long haul. There’s not much to do but try and stay warm until spring. Unless, of course, you are a winter sport lover.

But let’s assume, for the sake of argument, that you are like me and your winter plans consist of hunkering down and waiting it out.

But keeping warm goes hand-in-hand with fire safety.

Heating your home may be challenging this season, and you may be tempted to get a space heater. These little contraptions can do a world of good on chilly feet, but they also can be dangerous if not handled properly.

Here are some space heater safety tips:

. Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything combustible. Also keep clothes, curtains, pet beds, books and newspapers away from the heater.

. Heaters that use wood, coal, natural gas or kerosene can produce carbon monoxide gas – so ventilation is essential. Opening a window may seem like defeating the purpose of trying to heat the house. However, the fumes can be fatal, so it is best not to take chances. Also, be sure to refuel the heater outside, and be mindful that the heater should be cooled when refueling. If fuel spills onto hot surfaces, a fire could result.

This is a good place to mention the importance of a carbon monoxide detector. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, which is one of the most common causes of poisoning in the United States, include headache, nausea, vomiting and sleepiness. If you experience any these, call 911.

. Use only heaters with the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) safety listing.

. Don’t use extension cords with space heaters, but if you absolutely must, choose one that is marked “12-gauge” or “14-gauge.” Make sure nothing is resting on the cord and keep it out of the way so you don’t trip on it.

. Use only the fuel recommended by the manufacturer.

. Be sure portable heating devices are turned off whenever you leave the room, even if you will be gone only for a minute. This is especially true if you have pets. If they are anything like mine, they can cause trouble in a matter of seconds.

Fireplaces and wood stoves are another heating option. However, just as with space heaters, there are precautions that need to be heeded:

. Have chimneys professionally inspected at least once a year. And make sure that they are always properly maintained. The cleaning logs advertised on television are not a substitute for a good cleaning.

. Burn only wood, not cardboard or trash. I know how tempting it is to burn old Christmas wrapping and the like, but don’t. It is a good way for a fire to get out of control.

. Use a fireplace screen big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace. Watch for crackling, flying embers as they can ignite flammable items that may be near by.

. Be sure to call the fire department and check local codes before installing a wood-burning stove.

. Working smoke detectors are crucial to fire safety. Models are available with flashing lights for hearing-impaired individuals. Change the batteries twice a year and test the detector to make sure it is working.

. If you have trouble getting or maintaining a smoke or carbon monoxide detector, call Rolf at the Eastern Agency on Aging at 941-2865. Our Eaa-Z Fix It program may be able to help. Our volunteers are always at the ready to help keep you safe.

And lastly, there is nothing like a fleecy throw and a contentedly purring cat on your lap to warm not just your body – but your heart.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA, call 941-2865, e-mail info@eaaa.org, or log on www.eaaa.org.