CalFire warns about home heating fires

   As a major winter storm prepares to hit California, Cal Fire is reminding residents to take steps to heat their homes safely.
  
   While the cooler weather and rain is a welcomed event during a time of severe drought
in California, it may also mean that many will need to turn on home heating sources to keep warm indoors.

   Cal Fire is encouraging everyone to be safe with heating their homes, as this is the time of year fire
departments across the nation see an increase in home fires due to dangerous heating equipment or unsafe practices.

   According to Cal Fire, improper use or poorly maintained heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires and home fire deaths across the country.

    Half of the home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January and February.

   "Home fires caused by negligent use of heating equipment is easily preventable," states State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover, Cal Fire-Office of the State Fire Marshal.

   "Taking the time to check your heating equipment and maintaining it correctly could make the difference in protecting your home, but most importantly, your life.

   If the heat is provided using fossil fuels, there should be a working carbon monoxide alarm to help alert residents if a malfunction in their heating equipment occurs.  And as always, make sure you have working smoke alarms throughout the home."