To use a wood stove, pellet stove or space heater safely, keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away, have your chimney and venting inspected every year, store cooled ashes in a covered metal container outside, and plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Turn heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Once the first cold nights settle over Northern Colorado, stoves start crackling in Fort Collins, Loveland and Wellington, and space heaters come out of closets in Windsor, Greeley and Berthoud. Supplemental heat makes a chilly basement or drafty back bedroom comfortable, and it deserves some care.
The NFPA and the U.S. Fire Administration both point to heating equipment as a leading cause of home fires, especially in the colder months. The good news is that most of those fires come down to a few habits you can control.
How far should things be from a wood stove or space heater?
The NFPA recommends keeping anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment. That includes furniture, curtains, bedding, clothing, paper, holiday decorations and firewood.
The NFPA also recommends a 3-foot kid-free zone around open fires and space heaters. It is smart to treat that as a pet-free zone too. A curious dog or cat can knock over a heater or brush against a hot stove door.
Walk through each room where you use a heater and look at it from floor level. Throw blankets slide off couches, laundry piles grow, and kids leave toys in odd places, so a clear zone in October can fill up by December.
For wood and pellet stoves, the installation clearances listed by the manufacturer matter as well. Those distances to walls, floors and ceilings are set for a reason, and a stove that was moved or installed without following them can overheat nearby framing over time.
What is the right way to set up and use a space heater?
Space heaters are simple to use, which is exactly why small mistakes are easy to make. Follow these basics every time.
- Plug it directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which can overheat under a heater’s load.
- Look for automatic shutoff. Choose a heater that turns off if it tips over, and one that is listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
- Set it on a hard, level floor. Keep it off rugs, beds and furniture.
- Keep the 3-foot zone clear. Nothing that can burn, and no kids or pets playing nearby.
- Turn it off when you leave or sleep. Space heaters are meant for supervised use only.
- Check the cord. Stop using a heater with a frayed, cracked or hot cord or plug.
How often should my chimney and stove be inspected?
The NFPA recommends having chimneys, fireplaces, wood stoves and their venting inspected by a qualified professional every year, and cleaned as needed. Pellet stoves need the same attention for their exhaust venting.
Burning wood leaves creosote on the inside of the chimney or flue. Creosote is flammable, and a buildup can lead to a chimney fire. An annual inspection also catches cracked liners, loose connections and blockages from nests or debris.
Here is a simple way to think about the season:
| When | Wood or pellet stove | Space heater |
|---|---|---|
| Before heating season | Schedule chimney or vent inspection and cleaning | Check cord, plug and tip-over switch |
| Every use | Keep door closed or screen in place, burn only dry, seasoned wood or approved pellets | Plug into wall, keep 3-foot zone clear |
| After each fire | Let ashes cool, then move them to a metal container outside | Turn off and unplug when not in the room |
| All season | Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms | Test smoke alarms |
How should I get rid of ashes from a wood or pellet stove?
Ashes can hold heat much longer than most people expect. The NFPA recommends letting ashes cool, then putting them in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid and storing that container outside, a safe distance away from the house.
A metal shovel and a dedicated metal bucket make this easy. Scoop ashes carefully so you do not stir up embers, and keep the lid on the container once they are inside.
Never dump ashes into a paper bag, a cardboard box, a plastic trash can or the garage. And do not set the ash bucket on a wooden deck or next to the siding, where a hidden ember could start a fire hours later.
What should Northern Colorado homeowners know about heating season here?
Our climate adds a few local twists. The dry Front Range air means wood, decking and landscaping around homes can be very dry, so a stray ember or a hot ash bucket can catch quickly. Our winter wind can carry sparks farther than you would think.
Many homes in Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley have basements, and space heaters often end up there to warm a family room, workshop or guest bedroom. Basements also tend to hold storage boxes, laundry and holiday decorations, so check that 3-foot zone carefully. Make sure every level, including the basement, has working smoke alarms.
Cold snaps and freeze-thaw cycles also tempt people to use heaters in garages or near pipes to keep them from freezing. If you do, keep the heater well away from gas cans, paint, cardboard and anything else that burns, and never leave it running unattended.
What other fire safety steps should I take before winter?
- Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries as needed. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends alarms on every level and outside sleeping areas.
- Install carbon monoxide alarms if you burn wood or pellets or have any fuel-burning appliance.
- Keep a fire extinguisher where you can reach it and know how to use it.
- Practice a home escape plan with two ways out of every room.
- Have your furnace serviced before the first cold stretch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to leave a space heater on overnight? No. Fire safety guidance says to turn space heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep. Use extra blankets or a properly installed heating system for overnight warmth.
Can I plug a space heater into a power strip? It is best not to. Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet, because power strips and extension cords can overheat under the load.
How long do ashes stay hot? Ashes can hold live embers for a long time after a fire looks out. Always cool them and store them in a covered metal container outside, away from the house.
Do pellet stoves need their vents cleaned? Yes. Pellet stove venting should be inspected and cleaned regularly, following the manufacturer’s instructions, along with an annual professional inspection.
A little attention now keeps the whole winter safer and warmer. If a heating fire or a chimney fire does leave smoke, soot or heat damage behind, our IICRC-certified technicians provide Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration for homes across Northern Colorado. Call Best Option Restoration of Fort Collins 24/7.