As the cold moves in for the winter, many people try to keep their homes warm.

For homeowners, their house’s central heating is the answer. For those that rent or lease an apartment or house, sometimes that heat comes in the form of floor or space heaters. Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Kempf says that while space heaters are very helpful, they can be dangerous as well.

“Space heaters now have a safety switch on the bottom of them, most of them. If you’ve got a space heater that doesn’t have a safety switch on the bottom, I’d highly recommend getting a different one and replacing it. Between pets running around, and grandkids running around, and this, that and the other thing, you want to make sure that if that would get tipped over, that it’ll shut off. Having one that’s thermostatically controlled is important.”

Kempf tells Raccoon Valley Radio to always choose a heater that has been tested to the latest safety standards, and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. He adds that heaters should always be placed on hard, level, non flammable surfaces and kept at least three feet from flammable materials like bedding, curtains, rugs and furniture.

Kempf recommends that individuals do not leave space heaters on at night, and to never place them by someone that’s sleeping. Another big safety concern he mentions, is that heaters should never be plugged into an extension cord, but if it’s absolutely necessary, make sure the cord is at least 12-gauge wire.