Before going to bed, remember to unplug this living room appliance to avoid any risk of fire in your home.

Every night before you go to sleep, you probably examine to make sure your doors are locked and your lights are off. But there’s one more small habit that could make a huge difference in your home’s safety—unplugging your space  heater.

Space heaters are a common solution for staying warm during chilly evenings. They’re convenient, portable, and often energy-efficient. But while they deliver comfort, they also carry a serious risk if not used properly. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), space heaters are responsible for over 40% of home heating fires and 85% of associated d3aths. Many of these fires occur while people are sleeping and unaware of what’s occuring around them.

So if you’re using a space heater in your living room, here’s why and how you should always unplug it before going to  bed.

The Hidden Danger of Space Heaters

Space heaters are designed to offer additional warmth to rooms that aren’t heated well or for people who want to avoid turning up the central heating system. While they are useful, space heaters draw a significant amount of electricity and can become fire hazards due to: