As the heart of winter descends upon West Virginia, bitterly cold temperatures forecasted for much of the area may prompt residents to use portable space heaters to add to primary heat sources, such as central air; however, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission in a 2017 article, caution and due diligence should be the key to using these devices effectively since they’re a source of approximately 1,100 house fires and 50 deaths per year. The peak season for accidents is December to February as the weather is naturally colder. West Virginia University Extension Service has tips and resources to help ensure the safe use of space heaters.