Did you know that heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires each year?  You can prevent them by following these tips from the National Fire Protection Agency:

• Portable space heaters need to have a 36-inch clearance between them and anything that can burn.  They also need to be turned off every time you leave the room or go to bed.
• Only use a licensed heating contractor to install new furnaces or heat pumps in your home.  They will be able to install them with the correct ventilation according to code, which will prevent fires.
• Do not use your oven to heat your home
• Have your wood & coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, and furnace or heat pump inspected annually by a professional, and cleaned as often as is suggested.
• If your power goes out, avoid using candles.  Use flashlights instead.
• Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room.
• Test your smoke alarms monthly and install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside of each sleeping area.