NASHVILLE, Tenn. - As winter sets in across the state of Tennessee, fire officials are urging residents to take extra caution when it comes to heating their home.
Fire officials warn cold weather months typically have a higher number of accidental fire injuries and deaths due to use of alternative heating sources like fireplaces, wood stoves or space heaters.
Here are some fire safety tips if you are using any of these:
- Make it a "house rule" to test your home's smoke alarms, before using a space heater or fireplace.
- Also keep in mind, space heaters need space. Never put a space heater within three feet of anything combustible, including furniture, bedding or aerosol cans.
- Never use extension cords with space heaters.
- Before you use your fireplace, make sure the chimney has been professionally cleaned to remove any combustible materials that accumulate inside the chimney's flue.
- Never leave a fire, space heater, or a flame unattended.
