Below freezing temperatures are here and it’s important to be aware of fire hazards when heating your home. According to Sigourney Fire Chief Bill Halleran Jr., the leading cause of fires they’ve seen this winter is improper use of space heaters. So far this winter, Sigourney Fire and Rescue has responded to four house fires that were ignited by alternative heating devices. Halleran shares a few tips to keep you and your family safe, “The biggest one is the three foot safety clearance, having three feet of clearance all the way around the space heater. We get a lot of people who are using them on overloaded outlets and we’ve had several fires where it’s tripped a breaker and it just over loads. Then you’re going to have a wiring issue in the walls or in the attic, and it’s going to start a fire.”

Halleran also recommends making an effort to regularly check your smoke detectors to ensure they are operating properly. The National Fire Protection Safety Association recommends having a smoke alarm in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and throughout each level in the home.