As winter arrives and space heaters come out of storage, fire departments warn: **Never plug a space heater into a power strip.**
Power strips aren’t designed to handle the high energy demand of heaters and can **overheat or catch fire**.

### 🔥 Safety Tips for Using Space Heaters:
– **Always plug directly into a wall outlet.**
– **Keep at least 3 feet of space** around the heater.
– **Never leave it unattended** or use while sleeping.
– **Place heaters on flat, hard surfaces** — not on furniture, carpet, or tables.

### 🔌 Preventing Electrical Fires at Home:
1. **Unplug heat-producing appliances** when not in use.
2. **Use extension cords temporarily only.**
3. **Keep the third prong** on plugs for extra safety.
4. **Update old electrical systems** in older homes.
5. **Never use damaged cords or plugs.**

Stay warm, but stay safe this winter!