Indoor Heating Safety

Emily Fay

January 23, 2026

Winter brings cold weather and even colder wind chills. Staying warm is important. It’s even more important to stay warm safely!

Know the warning signs of frostbite and hypothermia. If you are outside in the cold, wear multiple layers and cover any exposed skin. Extreme cold impacts everyone! You can learn more about frostbite and hypothermia here.

Did you know home fires happen more in the winter than at any other time of year? Stay warm safely, and review these heating tips to help prevent fires.

General Home Heating Safety

• Never use an oven or stovetop to heat your home.
• Do not bring an outdoor grill inside your home.
• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from all heat sources (fireplaces, wood stoves, space heaters, candles, etc.).
• Avoid using candles as heat or light sources in the event of a power outage. Flashlights and other lights powered by batteries are much safer light sources.

Space Heater Safety

• Inspect heaters for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections before each use. If frayed, worn, or damaged, do not use the heater.
• Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep, and do not let pets or children play close to a space heater.
• Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat and should never be used to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing, or thaw pipes.
• Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas, and test them once a month.
• Heaters must be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including papers, clothing, and rugs.
• Keep the heater away from water or wet areas.
• Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire. Do not plug other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater. Always unplug and safely store the heater when not in use.
• Place space heaters on level, flat surfaces. Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture, or carpet, which can overheat and start a fire.
• Read more space heater safety tips.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) is found in fumes produced when fuel is burned in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. To prevent CO poisoning, install a carbon monoxide detector and review these safety tips.

Generator Safety

• Read the manual
• Keep the generator at least 20 feet from your home and away from windows, doors, and vents.
• Direct the exhaust away from the home.
• Make sure the generator has at least 3-4 feet of clear space above and on all sides.
• Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage. This can result in carbon monoxide poisoning or death.
• Watch out for fire and burn hazards
• Never store a generator in the home
• Do not store the fuel for your generator in your home or near a fuel-burning appliance (like a gas stove).
• For more information on generator safety, FEMA, the Red Cross, and BeReadyLexington.com have more information on generator safety.

Fireplace Safety

Gas Fireplaces:

• Check for a safety screen barrier.
• Keep children and pets at a distance.
• Never leave the fireplace unattended.
• Keep flammable objects at least 3 feet from the fireplace.
• Have your fireplace inspected yearly.
• Install/make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working.
• Read the safety instruction manual for your fireplace.

Wood Fireplaces:

• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from your fireplace or wood stove.
• Never leave the fireplace unattended.
• Do not burn paper in your fireplace or wood stove.
• Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.
• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a professional.
• Put ashes in a metal container with a lid.
• Place the ash container outside at least 10 feet from your home.

More information on winter fire safety is available from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).