As we slog our way through the last half of winter, the safety messages we heard back when the weather started getting cold may long be forgotten. But now’s not the time to get lax, especially if your family uses an electric space heater to take the chill out of a bedroom or family room. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

• Keep the heater at least three to four feet away from things that can catch fire like bedding, clothing, drapes, furniture and newspapers.
• Keep children and pets away from the space heater.
• Keep your space heater away from areas with water.
• Do not use a space heater to warm bedding, or dry clothing or other objects.
• Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off and unplug it when the last person using it leaves the room or before you go to bed.
• Be sure the heater’s plug fits snugly in an outlet. The cord and plug may feel warm when operating since the unit draws so much power, but they should not feel hot. If they do, unplug the heater and have a qualified repair person check for problems. Never use an extension cord with a space heater.