(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — We had our first taste of colder weather as the first frost came to Southern Colorado recently. However, as we start to turn more heated appliances on, you need to think about fire safety.

Here are some helpful tips:

Do not leave electric appliances like portable space heaters on while you are sleeping or while you are out of the house.

Keep only one heat producing appliance plugged into an outlet at a time.

Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces.

Use a metal or heat tempered glass screen with a fireplace and make sure you have your chimney swept annually for active fireplaces.

Never use an extension cord or power strip for heaters.

Have your furnace inspected and cleaned annually.

Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

For more cold weather fire safety tips, watch the video player above.