Electric space heaters can sometimes make a cozy difference for reading or watching TV in the evening. As a rule of thumb, keep everything at least three feet away from any heater. Be sure you turn your heaters off when retiring for the evening. When shopping for an electric heater, be sure to buy one with a switch that turns the heater off if it should be tipped over. And, don't use extension cords with electric heaters since the heaters draw considerable electrical current.
Electric blankets cause a surprising number of fires every year.
If you have one, check it carefully for any signs of wear in the blanket or the cords and controls. If you're buying an electric blanket, look for one that has a lab approval label. Be careful that the cords don't get pinched between the bed and the walls or floors. Turn the blanket off when no one is in bed and don't fold an electric blanket over on itself. Mattresses made before 1973 are less fire safe than mattresses made since then.