The fire service has issued safety advice on electrical space heaters.

It includes:

• keep heating equipment at least 3ft away from anything that can burn;

• do not plug power cords into an extension cord;

• turn off heaters when you leave a room or go to bed;

• inspect for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections;

• avoid using or storing flammable or combustible liquids nearby.

The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: “Fire is fast. In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire.

“It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames.”

For more information, e-mail FireProtection@gov.bm.

• To see the advice flyer, click on the PDF under “Related Media”