Baseboard Heaters

The Electrical Safety Foundation International urges you to follow some important tips:

Fire danger from baseboard heaters is low but don't allow objects to contact them. Keep drapes from touching heaters, and don't place any other combustible materials on or near heaters.
Follow the heating unit's maintenance instructions.
Before you open the baseboard cover, turn the heater off at the breaker panel and let the heating element cool.
Vacuum baseboards occasionally to remove dust and other debris. This is particularly helpful at the end of the summer. Vacuuming will reduce the "burned dust" smell you get from baseboard heaters when they're turned on for the first time in months!