Winter concentrates heating-related hazards. Nearly half (46%) of all U.S. home heating equipment fires happen between December and February, and heating remains a leading cause of home fires and home fire deaths.
In 2023, heating caused about 8.1% of residential building fires, second only to cooking.
That same year, U.S. fire departments handled ~344,600 residential building fires overall—proof that vigilance in colder months matters.
The Big Three Winter Dangers (And How To Beat Them)
Space heaters: small devices, outsized risk
- Impact: Portable heaters were involved in an average of 1,600 fires per year, with ~70 deaths and ~160 injuries (2019–2021). They ignite when too close to bedding, furniture, curtains, or when plugged into the wrong cord.
- Disproportionate severity: While portable heater fires make up a small slice of heating fires, they account for a large share of fatal heating fires.
Essential rules for space heaters
- Keep a 3-foot (1 m) safety zone around the heater—nothing that can burn within that radius. Create a kid-free/pet-free zone.
- Plug directly into a wall outlet. Never use extension cords or power strips; they can overheat and start fires.
- Choose heaters with tip-over shutoff and overheat protection; place on a flat, level, non-rugged surface. Turn off when leaving the room or before sleep.
Fireplaces, wood stoves & chimneys: creosote and hot ash
- Scale of the problem: Fireplaces and chimneys were tied to an average of 15,400 fires per year, causing ~20 deaths and ~80 injuries (2019–2021).
- Leading factor: Failure to clean (especially creosote in chimneys) is a top cause of home heating fires—regular inspections and sweeping are non-negotiable.
Essential rules for fireplaces/wood stoves
- Have chimneys inspected and cleaned annually by a professional; more often with heavy wood use.
- Use a metal or glass screen; never burn trash or wet/green wood (creosote spike).
- Dispose of ashes safely: put cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container kept at least 10 feet from the home and other buildings; never in bags or plastic cans.
Carbon monoxide (CO): the winter “invisible killer”
- Scale: Each year in the U.S., >400 deaths, >100,000 ER visits, and >14,000 hospitalizations occur from unintentional CO poisoning (non-fire).
- Generators & engines: Keep portable generators outside and at least 20 feet from doors/windows/vents, with exhaust pointed away from the house. Never run a generator inside a home, garage, basement, or on a porch.
- Blocked vents: In snowstorms, clear furnace, dryer, stove, and fireplace vents to prevent CO buildup.
CO alarm essentials
- Install CO alarms on every level, outside sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms if possible; test monthly.
- Replace CO alarms per manufacturer guidance—often every 5–7 years (many new models have 10-year sealed batteries).
Don’t Forget Smoke Alarms
Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire by about half, but only if they’re present, powered, and not past end-of-life.
Install alarms on every level and in every bedroom, interconnect them if possible, test monthly, and replace the entire unit every 10 years.
Winter Heating Safety At a Glance
| Hazard/Equipment | Biggest Risks | Minimum Safe Distance / Setup | Must-Do Maintenance | Extra Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portable space heaters | Ignition of nearby combustibles, electrical overload | Keep 3 ft/1 m clear all around; plug directly into wall outlet | Inspect cord; choose units with tip-over & overheat shutoff | Turn off before sleep/when leaving room; flat, stable surface |
| Fireplaces/wood stoves | Creosote buildup, flying embers, hot ash | Screen in front; keep combustibles 3 ft away | Annual chimney inspection/cleaning; proper fuel | Ashes in metal can 10 ft from home; never burn trash/wet wood |
| Furnace/boiler | CO from malfunction/blockage | Maintain clearances around unit per manual | Annual professional service | Clear snow/ice from exterior vents during storms |
| Generators (power outages) | CO poisoning, fire while refueling | Place ≥20 ft from doors/windows/vents; exhaust away | Follow manual; run outdoors only | Never in garage/porch; cool before refueling |
| Smoke & CO alarms | Missing, dead battery, expired sensors | Bedrooms/every level; interconnected preferred | Test monthly; replace smoke alarms every 10 years; CO 5–7 years typical | Sealed 10-year battery options reduce maintenance |
Quick, High-Impact Winter Safety Checklist
- Keep anything that can burn 3 feet from all heat sources—space heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators.
- Plug heaters directly into outlets; never use power strips or extension cords.
- Service furnaces/boilers yearly; clear snow from exhaust and intake vents after storms.
- Install and test smoke and CO alarms monthly; replace per lifespan rules (smoke: 10 years; CO: typically 5–7 years).
- Dispose of fireplace ashes in a lidded metal can kept 10 ft from buildings.
- If you smell smoke, alarms sound, or feel dizzy/nauseated (possible CO): get outside, call 911, and don’t re-enter.
