You may be ready to start heating your home, after using the air conditioner all summer. So, to help you stay both safe and warm this winter, Hoosier firefighters are offering some tips.

First responders with the Wayne Township Fire Department (WTFD) and Bargersville Fire Department (BFD) recommend that you take certain precautions, such as:

Inspecting your heating system before using it.

Cleaning your furnace filters.

Ensuring that fireplaces and chimneys are free of debris and creosote buildup.

Installing carbon monoxide detectors.

Checking that holiday decorations are rated for fire safety.

Avoiding the overloading of circuits.

Keeping flammable items away from heat sources.

Monitoring candles, or using battery-operated candles instead of real ones.

Scheduling routine maintenance for your heating system.

Having an emergency plan in place.

Captain Eric Banister with the WTFD notes that it is especially important for you to protect against carbon monoxide leaks if you have gas appliances, as carbon monoxide is completely odorless and colorless.

He also understands that some Hoosiers will simply be trying to survive this winter, so they may reach for space heaters or rely on oven heat. While he acknowledges that staying warm is a necessity, he says misusing heat sources can cause “potential fires or illnesses.”