As the winter chill sets in, we bring out products like heaters, hot water bottles and electric blankets to keep us warm. But these products could cause fires or burn injuries if things go wrong. To help keep you snug and safe this winter, Consumer and Business Services (CBS) is sharing this important safety advice.

Warming your home

It’s nice to relax by a roaring fire, or to take the chill off a room by turning on a heater, but there are some simple things you can do to help keep you, your pets and visitors to your home safe.

Always sit your heater on a flat, level surface and keep it at least two metres away from combustible materials like curtains, bedding or clothes drying on a rack. Never use heaters designed for outdoors inside your home – it’s just too risky. You could breathe in harmful emissions, or the outdoor heater could overheat.

If your home has a fireplace, before you light your first fire for the season, check your chimney is clean and well ventilated. Use a mesh screen in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks and wood from falling out.

Staying warm outside

Firepits have become popular in many backyards, bringing warmth to people standing or sitting nearby. But as with any lit fire, there can be risks.

When setting up a firepit, make sure it’s positioned on a flat, hard level ground and never on a flammable surface like timber decking or an outdoor rug.

Keep the firepit clear of structures and plant foliage, and don’t use a fire pit if it’s too windy, as the flames may spread beyond the pit. And very importantly, never leave a firepit unattended and always supervise children and pets.

Warming yourself

There are many ways to warm yourself, particularly if you’ll be sitting for a long period of time or when you’re heading to bed.

If you’ll be using a wheat or heat pack, always follow the heating instructions. You don’t want the pack to overheat and combust. Always allow the pack to cool before reheating it again. And if you start to smell something while reheating, allow the pack to cool fully then dispose of it safely. It’s no longer safe to use.

If you use an electric blanket to warm up your bed, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s a good idea at the start of winter to check that cords aren’t frayed, and wires aren’t worn out. Always turn your electric blanket off before falling asleep and never place heavy items on top of the blanket when it’s on.

If you prefer a hot water bottle, don’t overfill or use boiling water in your bottle (use hot tap water) to avoid scalding yourself. Hot water bottles can cause burns if placed directly on the skin, so always use a hot water bottle cover or wrap the bottle in a towel or fabric.

Where there’s smoke

Candles aren’t overly warming, but they add subtle lighting when the mornings and evenings are darker for longer. It’s essential you never leave an open flame unsupervised, and make sure candles are kept away from combustible materials like curtains, clothing and bedding. If children visit your home, ensure lighters and matches are kept out of their reach.

With more heating appliances being plugged in and fires lit at this time of the year, it’s important to check your smoke alarm is still in good working order. Test your smoke alarm every month and change the batteries each year. If you’ve had your smoke alarm for more than 10 years, it’s time for a replacement.

Recent recalls

The following products have been recalled due to safety concerns. If you own a recalled product, stop using it and contact the supplier for a repair, replacement or refund.

More information

For more tips visit the winter safety page on the CBS website. And please report any product safety concerns to CBS by using the online consumer complaints form and selecting the option to ‘report an unsafe product’.