As the veil of winter continues to cooly drape over Massachusetts, more and more of us are relying on Benjamin Franklin’s electric brainchild or are dipping into our beer money to expense oil in a painstaking attempt to permeate heat throughout our homes. Some of us, though, are lucky enough to live in lodgings that feature fireplaces in which we can ignite balmy blazes whose only limitations are the amount of flammable object one can heartily feed them with. Massachusetts Senator Richard Moore, though, is urging you to think twice about kindling that comfort because, quite simply, you can burn your house to the ground.

“Heating is the second leading cause of home fires, and the first leading cause of carbon monoxide poisoning in the Commonwealth,” stated Senator Moore in a statement. “As such, I am pleased to join with the Department of Fire Safety to ensure that the residents of our region are prepared to stay warm and safe during the winter months.”

In that capacity, Senator Moore has released six safety tips to keep you from turning your home into a heap of ash.

• When using a fireplace or other solid fuel stove, be sure to store ashes in a metal container that is positioned away from the house, deck, and garage. Have chimneys professionally cleaned, and keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from the fireplace.
• Do not depend on space heaters as a primary source of heat. When in use, keep flammable items at least three feet away. Always use heavy duty extension cords, and turn off the space heater before leaving the house, or going to sleep.
• If a home uses oil as a heating source, have the furnace cleaned by a professional and try not to let the oil tank get completely empty. If soot or smoke is being released into the house, contact an oil service provider.
• If a home uses natural gas as a heating source, be aware of leaks. If the smell of something similar to rotten eggs is evident in the home, do not turn on or off any electrical switches or begin smoking. Get outside of the house and call 911 immediately.
• As the holidays approach, keep in mind tree and candle safety. Keep trees away from heat sources, and water cut trees daily. Use a non-tip tree stand and fire retardant decorations. Never leave a lit tree unattended. If using an artificial tree, make sure it has a fire retardant label, and never hang lights from a metallic tree. Don’t overload outlets, and extinguish all candles before leaving a room. Don’t leave lit candles unattended. Finally, dispose of trees before they dry out and the needles begin to fall off.
• Most importantly, be prepared. Test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors monthly, and change the batteries twice a year. Make sure there are smoke detectors on every floor and positioned outside of bedrooms. Practice family fire drills, and make sure to have an escape plan in place.

Consider these cautions and your home will be a heavenly haven for hibernating this winter. And while your at it, try and figure out a way to make your home more energy-efficient too. You’re welcome.