5 on Your Side: Make sure your space heater doesn't start a fire

Half of all home heating fires happen during December, January and February, officials said.

Often, space heaters are to blame, with an estimated 25,000 house fires and 300 deaths each year. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the majority of fires start when heaters are placed too close to curtains, bedding, or furniture.

Some 6,000 people, many of them children, also end up in emergency rooms with burns from touching a heater’s hot surface.

While they’re designed to be hot, of course, they should not burn you or create a fire hazard. Look for safety features, for example, a smart sensor that automatically shuts off the unit if it overheats, and a tip-over switch that does the same if it’s knocked over. That can easily happen, especially if you have pets or children.

Also regularly check the cords. Cuts and frays are a major cause of space heater fires.

Other safety advice:

– Plug the unit directly into a wall

– Don’t use an extension cord or power strip, experts warn those accessories typically can’t handle the high currents space heaters draw

– Keep space heaters on the floor

– At least three feet away from curtains, clothes and furniture

When shopping for an electric space heater, look for a label from a recognized testing laboratory, such as UL, Underwriters Laboratory, that shows it meets voluntary U.S. safety standards.

After running tests, Consumer Reports says the $55 Comfort Zone, model number CZ499R, is a best buy.