The short answer

Yes, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). Its advice is to "Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected each year by a professional." It also says to keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from all heat sources, turn space heaters off when you leave the room or go to bed, and never use an oven to heat your home.

The yearly check: cleaned and inspected by a professional

The first fire of the season is a good cue to book it. Here's how the USFA puts it:

"Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected each year by a professional." (USFA)

Two details in that sentence matter:

  • Heating equipment and chimneys. It's not only the fireplace. The USFA names heating equipment too.
  • Each year, by a professional. It's a yearly job, and the USFA says a professional should do it.

The 3-foot rule

Once the heat is on, the USFA gives a simple distance to remember:

"Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters or candles." (USFA)

That list covers a lot of a typical room: the fireplace, a wood stove, radiators, space heaters, and candles. A quick walk-through makes the rule concrete. Stop at each one and look at what's sitting within 3 feet of it.

Space heaters: off when you leave or go to bed

"Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed." (USFA)

It's an easy habit. Leaving the room or heading to bed? The space heater goes off.

The USFA also publishes this data point on portable heaters, covering 2017-2019:

"Home portable heater fires were only 3% of all home heating fires annually for 2017-2019, but they accounted for 41% of fatal heating fires in homes." (USFA, 2017-2019 data)

Never heat your home with the oven

"Never use an oven to heat your home." (USFA)

The USFA says this one plainly. The wording has no exceptions.

Booking the yearly check: get a written scope

This part is our tip, not USFA guidance: when you book the yearly cleaning and inspection, get a written scope first. With it in writing, you know what's included before anyone shows up, and you can compare more than one quote on the same terms.

Quick checklist before the first fire

Step Details
Book the yearly check. USFA: have heating equipment and chimneys "cleaned and inspected each year by a professional."
Ask for a written scope before you book (our tip).
Clear 3 feet. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters, or candles (USFA).
Space heaters off when you leave the room or go to bed (USFA).
No oven heating. Never use an oven to heat your home (USFA).

Limitations

This page quotes the U.S. Fire Administration's heating fire safety page (last reviewed May 4, 2023). It isn't a substitute for the yearly professional cleaning and inspection, and it doesn't cover every type of heating equipment. The written-scope tip is ours, not USFA guidance.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a chimney be cleaned and inspected?

The USFA says to "Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected each year by a professional."

How far should things be from a fireplace or space heater?

The USFA says to "Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters or candles."

Should I turn off a space heater when I leave the room?

Yes. The USFA says to "Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed."

Can I use my oven to heat my home?

No. The USFA says, "Never use an oven to heat your home."

Sources and further reading

All quotes above are from the USFA page. Ready.gov and the CPSC release are further reading from federal agencies.

Put the guide to work

Booking the yearly check? Compare quotes by zip on QuoteOtter.

This page is run by QuoteOtter.