Half of all home heating fires happen in December, January and February, according to the United States Fire Administration, with more home fires occurring in winter than any other season. Temperatures have been well below freezing most the week and are forecasted to be below 30 degrees the rest of the week. It is recommended to keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from any heat source, such as fireplaces, wood stoves, raditators or space heaters.

Also, remember to check for working smoke alarms. According to the State Fire Marshal, 112 people were saved by working smoke detectors and 217 lives were saved in 2012.

Last year, 39 people died in fires in Iowa.