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With cold nights here, Evergy wants to remind people to be safe when using space heaters and electric blankets.

They can be a big help to keep families warm, but if not used correctly, space heaters and electric blankets can pose a fire hazard. The Electrical Safety Foundation reports that heating equipment causes more than 65,000 home fires each year. 

Evergy has some tips on proper use for both electric blankets and space heaters to help keep you warm and safe as temperatures drop.

Space Heaters 

• Always review and follow any safety instructions on your specific space heater.  
• Plug your heater into a wall outlet. Never plug a portable space heater into a power strip or extension cord.  
• Heaters should be placed on flat surfaces, such as the floor. Do not leave them anywhere that they could fall. 
• Keep them three feet from any items, especially blankets and curtains. 
• Make sure they have the proper certifications, for example UL approved. 
• Do not use them while sleeping. Choose a space heater with a timer. 
• Choose a space heater that is the proper size for the room to avoid wasting energy of overheating a room. 

Electric Blankets 

• Throw out electric blankets or heating pads with dark, charred, or frayed spots or indications the electric cord is cracked or frayed.  
• Do not allow anything on top of a heating pad or electric blanket when it is in use, including other blankets or even pets. Electric blankets may overheat. 
• Never fold electric blankets when in use. Folded or tucked in blankets could overheat and cause a fire.  
• Do not use electric blankets or heating pads while sleeping.  
• Turn them off when not in use.