If you’re looking for ways to stay warm this winter, here are several checks you should make to stay safe. Hot-water bottles “The most common causes of hot water bottle-related injuries include using boiling water, overfilling the bottle and using bottles that are old or damaged,” says Adrian Simpson, the head of policy at the charity the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Let the kettle cool down before filling the bottle, as boiling water can damage it, and burn you if there are any spills. Don’t fill the bottle more than about two-thirds full and don’t place the bottle straight on to your skin. Hot-water bottles perish over time, so make sure yours isn’t too old – experts advise to change bottles every two to three years. If you can’t remember when you bought yours, it will have a flower on or near the neck – the number in the middle is the year the bottle was made. The petals represent months and the dots weeks; if there are two dots in the first petal it was made in mid-January of that year. Portable heaters West Yorkshire fire and rescue service advises buying a heater from a reputable retailer and keeping it well maintained and free of dust. Aim for a 3-metre distance between the heater and surrounding objects. Don’t use flammable cleaning products or aerosols nearby. Giuseppe Capanna, a product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, says: “Avoid leaving portable electric heaters turned on and unattended for long periods or overnight. Never plug them into extension leads as this can overload the socket, never dry clothes on them, and keep them well away from fabrics and combustibles which can ignite if left too close.” With all plug-in heaters, be careful of trailing wires. Electric blankets Always unplug your electric blanket before getting into bed, unless it has a control that will turn it off. West Yorkshire fire and rescue advises replacing the blanket if it becomes soiled, frayed or worn – especially if wires or scorch marks are visible. Always replace the blanket after 10 years. If you use emollient skin creams for conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, don’t let the cream soak into the blanket as this will make the material more flammable. “Don’t use an electric blanket with a hot-water bottle, or if you have an air-flow pressure-relief mattress,” says Simpson. “Also, don’t use it if you have wet hands or feet.” When not using the blanket, store it flat or rolled up to protect the wiring. Don’t fold it. Real fires Use a fireguard to protect against sparks and embers that could set fire to furniture or clothing. “Keep clothing and fabric well away from the fire and don’t air clothes on a fireguard or close to the fire,” says Simpson. Keep the chimney and flue clean and sweep regularly. This should help ventilate the room. In any room with a fuel-burning appliance, install a carbon monoxide alarm.