As colder weather settles in, the American Red Cross is reminding families to take extra precautions when heating their homes. The Red Cross says heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires in the U.S. Kellie O’Connell, CEO of the Illinois Red Cross, says many of those fires are preventable.

She encourages families to keep at least three feet of space around all heating equipment, test smoke alarms monthly, and practice a home fire escape plan that gets everyone out in under two minutes.

The Red Cross responds to more than 60-thousand disasters each year, with home fires making up the majority. Those responses jump by about 30 percent during the colder months. According to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters are most often responsible for home heating fires. Safety tips include never leaving space heaters unattended, plugging them directly into wall outlets, not extension cords, and keeping them off rugs, carpets, and away from curtains or bedding.

The Red Cross also warns against using ovens or stovetops to heat your home and reminds homeowners to have furnaces, chimneys, and fireplaces inspected annually. Fireplace fires should never be left unattended, and embers should be fully extinguished before leaving home or going to bed. Locally, Red Cross volunteers responded to 11 home fires in the past week across Central Illinois, assisting 11 people with immediate needs such as food, clothing, and emotional support.

If you or someone you know needs help after a home fire, you can contact the American Red Cross at 800-RED-CROSS. More safety tips and fire escape plans are available at redcross-dot-org-slash-fire.