With frigid temperatures expected over the next several weeks, residents are reminded to use caution when heating homes.
The National Fire Protection Association reports that January is the leading month for home heating fires.
While fireplaces and chimneys are involved in about 30% of home heating fires, space heaters are most frequent cause. Failure to clean equipment was the leading cause of home heating fires.
The NFPA recommends that residents have heating equipment cleaned and checked every year by a qualified professional as well as turn portable space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
