Wood stoves and portable heaters can be fire hazards during winter months if not supervised or used properly.

Another heating source that has grown in popularity is the electric fireplace which often doubles as an entertainment stand. Crawfordsville Fire Chief Roy Felts says similar precautions should be taken to safely operate them, “Keeping the area around them and in front of them clear, follow manufacturers instructions to make sure they’re installed properly, make sure they’re on the right plug-in with the right wiring going to it so you don’t have a plug-in fire or electrical fire that way. The biggest thing is making sure they’re not covered up.”

Felts also advises parents to not allow kids to operate the electric fireplace or for kids to be near them unsupervised.