Electric space heaters can keep you toasty warm while the winter winds whip outside, but staying safe is another matter. Whenever you use a portable electric space heater, be sure to follow some safety rules:

• Don't try to use a portable space heater to heat a whole house. Portable electric heaters are designed to be used as supplemental heat for single rooms. They should provide temporary heat only.
• Turn off your heater when you leave the room.
• Know your heater's safety features. Some have switches that turn the unit off if it tips over or that buzz if you bump into it. Look for those extra safety features when you buy a heater.
• Keep your heater away from anything flammable, including furniture and clothes.
• Don't use your heater to dry clothes -- even if it's only a pair of wet mittens. Never cover a unit with anything while it's being used.
• Check the heater's cord occasionally to make sure it's not hot. Keep the cord away from areas where people walk, since they could trip or rip the cord from the outlet.
• Plug each space heater into a separate circuit. Using the same circuit for more than one unit can cause a fire.
• Teach children to steer clear of space heaters.