Are you staying warm and safe this winter?
We know that heating your home may cost you a pretty penny this winter. But we want to make sure you know how to safely use the supplemental heaters you may turn to as temperatures drop.

• Check with your local fire department and check local codes before having your stove installed.
• Keep clothes, furniture and other combustibles at least 3 feet from the stove.
• Place the stove on a fireproof base so that sparks cannot land on a flammable floor surface.
• Have a mason or other certified person inspect the chimney.
• Never use flammable liquids to start a fire in a wood stove. Doing so can result in an explosion.
• Protect the wall behind the stove with a fire-resistant surface, such as fireproof millboard or a sheet of metal.

• Be sure your fireplace has a well-fitting screen or install glass doors.
• Have flues and chimneys inspected and cleaned each year.
• Check bricks and chimneys of older fireplaces for faults and defects.
• Never burn plastic, styrofoam or charcoal in an indoor fireplace. These products can produce toxic gases.
• Be sure that the fire is out before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Use a metal container for ash disposal, and do not dispose of ashes around combustible and flammable materials.

• Only use heaters with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) safety listing. Read and follow all instructions in the owner's manual.
• Move the heater away from flammable materials.
• Keep heater away from doorways and other traffic paths.
• Make sure that the equipment is stable and placed where it will not be tipped over.
• Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
• Do not put heaters where they might come in contact with water.
• Never put anything on top of your space heater.

Heating tips graciously provided by the Insurance Council of New Jersey