Clayton Fire Company tips to prevent portable heater fires

Clayton Fire Company gives tips on how to prevent a portable heater fire in your home this winter.

An estimated 900 portable heater fires in homes are reported to U.S. fire departments each year and cause an estimated 70 deaths, 150 injuries, and $53 million in property loss.

Here are a couple of safety steps:

- Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.

- Keep anything that can burn such as bedding, clothing and curtains at least three feet away.

- Only use portable heaters from a recognized testing laboratory and with an automatic shut-off so that if they tip over, they shut off.

- Plug portable heaters directly into outlets and never into an extension cord or power strip.