Heating your home safely

It's actually going to feel like winter Friday and Saturday throughout many parts of South Dakota. That means if you will be pulling out the space heater or putting a fire in the fire place you'll want to make sure you are doing so safely to avoid a fire inside your home.

When it comes to heating your home safely experts say it's always good to have an alternative electric supply or heat supply on hand in case you lost your power in these cold temperatures. However they also say you really need to make sure you are using those heat sources very carefully.

You'll want to make sure your fireplaces and wood stoves are properly ventilated to avoid any build up of carbon monoxide. That is a deadly gas that is odorless and colorless. Experts also warn not to use charcoal indoors because it gives off large amounts of the gas. It's also very important to check the batteries in your smoke alarms and your carbon monoxide detectors as well. You'll also want to make sure you have a fire extinguisher on hand and that everyone in your house knows how to use one.

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