As cooler temperatures arrive, the American Red Cross serving Kansas and Oklahoma urges families to take precautions when heating their homes. Home fires make up the majority of the 60,000+ disasters the Red Cross responds to each year, with fire incidents increasing by 30% during the colder months.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that space heaters are often the cause of home heating fires. To heat safely, follow these tips:

• Never leave a space heater unattended and place it on a level, nonflammable surface.
• Plug space heater cords directly into outlets, not extension cords.
• Keep heaters at least three feet away from children, pets, and flammable items.
• Never use a cooking range or oven for heat, and always extinguish fireplace embers before leaving or going to sleep.
• Have heating equipment inspected annually.

Test smoke alarms monthly, and practice your escape plan to ensure everyone can safely exit within two minutes. If you need assistance with smoke alarms, contact the Red Cross.