State fire marshal urges winter heating safety ahead of cold weather

With freezing temperatures expected across Texas this weekend, the State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) is reminding residents to stay safe when heating their homes.

"We see a lot of deadly fires because of heating equipment," said State Fire Marshal Debra Knight. "We might not use some of these devices all that often. It's important to remind ourselves."

SFMO shares these safety tips:

• Don't use your oven to heat your home.
• Inspect space heaters before you use them. Look for cracked or broken plugs, frayed cords, and loose connections.
• Plug heaters directly into wall outlets. Don't use extension cords or power strips.
• Keep space heaters and heat lamps at least three feet from curtains, bedding, and furniture.
• Turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Never run a portable generator in your home or garage, even if doors and windows are open. Portable generators should be outdoors at least 20 feet away from open doors or windows.
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms today.

These simple steps can help prevent house fires and save lives.

SFMO is a division of the Texas Department of Insurance. Learn more about fire safety.