More than 900 people die in winter home fires in the U.S. every year! State public safety officials say in 2014, 57 people died in fires in Minnesota - the highest number of fatalities in 13 years.

Winter in Minnesota is brutal, that's no secret. Us freeze babies are using heaters like the coolest new accessory every year! There are several people that have them running daily here at the station, and I have one next to my bed that I cannot live without!

Home fires happen most often in the winter. The two main reasons: cooking and heating. Space heaters account for about one-third of the home heating fires.

FEMA
FEMA
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Here are some other tips from FEMA:

  • Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory.
  • Heaters are not dryers or tables; don't dry clothes or store objects on top of your heater.
  • Keep everything at least three feet away from each heater.
  • Always unplug your electric space heater when not in use. Turn off at night or whenever you sleep.
  • Never use an extension cord with space heaters - plug directly into wall socket.

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