10/23/2026
🔥 🔥 HEATER SAFETY TIPS FROM WOODLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 🔥
As the temperatures begin to drop, many of us will turn to space heaters and other heating equipment to keep our homes warm. While these devices can provide comfort, they can also create serious fire hazards when not used properly.
đźš’ PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO REVIEW THESE IMPORTANT HEATER SAFETY TIPS!
♨️ SPACE HEATER SAFETY ✅ Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including furniture, curtains, bedding, clothing, and decorations. ✅ Always place space heaters on a solid, level, nonflammable surface. ✅ Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when leaving the room or going to bed. ✅ Keep children and pets a safe distance away from heaters. ✅ Never use a space heater to dry clothing or other materials. ✅ Never operate a fuel-burning heater indoors unless it is specifically designed and approved for indoor use. Ensure proper ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. ✅ Choose a heater with automatic tip-over protection and overheat shutoff features.
🔌 POWER CORD & ELECTRICAL SAFETY ⚠️ Always plug electric space heaters directly into a wall outlet. ⚠️ Never plug a space heater into an extension cord, power strip, or surge protector. These can overheat and cause a fire. ⚠️ Never run electrical cords under rugs, through doorways, or where they can be damaged. ⚠️ Inspect cords and plugs for damage, fraying, cracks, or signs of overheating. Do not use damaged equipment. ⚠️ Never overload electrical outlets. If a plug or outlet becomes hot, stop using it and have it inspected by a qualified electrician. ⚠️ Unplug heaters when they are not in use.
🚨 A FEW MORE IMPORTANT REMINDERS • Make sure your home has working smoke alarms on every level and inside and outside sleeping areas. • Test your smoke alarms regularly. • Have a home escape plan and make sure everyone knows two ways out of every room when possible. • If you use fuel-burning heating equipment, install carbon monoxide alarms as recommended by the manufacturer and local codes.
❤️ A few simple precautions can prevent a devastating house fire and save lives. Please take the time to check your heating equipment before using it this season.
From our family at Woodland Volunteer Fire Department to yours, stay warm, stay safe, and help us keep our community protected!