Make sure your home heating source is clean and in working order. Many home fires are started by poorly maintained furnaces or stoves, cracked or rusted furnace parts, or chimneys with creosote buildup. Use portable heaters in well-ventilated rooms only. Keep blankets, clothing, curtains, furniture, and anything that could get hot and catch fire at least three feet away from all heat sources. Plug heaters directly into the wall socket and unplug them when they are not in use.
Portable heaters use oxygen and produce potentially toxic gases.
Use kerosene heaters only if permitted by law in your area. Refuel kerosene heaters outdoors only, after they have cooled. Kerosene has a low flash point. If mistakenly dripped on hot surfaces, it can cause fires. Have chimneys and wood stoves inspected annually and cleaned if necessary.