There are times when a little extra warmth can help you deal with the chill of Old Man Winter.A portable electric space heater is designed to take care of the chill but can potentially cause problems if not used properly.Space heaters can be dangerous because their high wattage can ignite combustible materials nearby. If unintentionally left on for long periods and unattended, they could cause a fire.The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates space heaters of all types spark nearly 22,000 residential fires annually, leading to about 300 deaths and thousands of burns.Cuivre River Electric Cooperative offers the following safety tips for using space heaters:• Never leave a portable heater running unattended or while sleeping.• Select a heater based on the size of the room that needs heating.• Place the heater on a level surface away from foot traffic, children and pets. Keep it at least 3 feet away from furniture, drapes, flammable items and walls.• Plug the heater directly into a wall outlet. Extension cords are not recommended.• Inspect the heater’s power cord regularly. Don’t use the heater if the cord is damaged.• Do not use the heater in damp, wet areas.• Only buy newer model heaters that have all the current safety features. Make sure the heater has a UL label.• Only use portable heaters that have a tip-over safety shut-off feature.Cuivre River Electric Cooperative is the largest member-owned electric cooperative in Missouri, providing dependable electric service to over 63,500 homes and businesses in St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren, Pike and Montgomery counties.Currently 59 percent of Cuivre River members live in St. Charles County, 24 percent in Lincoln County, 15 percent in Warren County, and 2 percent in Pike County.Several members also live in Montgomery County. Visit www.cuivre.com to learn more.Space Heaters