As temperatures drop across Georgia, fire safety experts are warning families about the dangers of heating their homes this fall and winter.

What’s Happening: The American Red Cross of Georgia is urging residents to take safety steps now before turning on heaters and fireplaces. Space heaters cause most home heating fires.

Home fires jump 30% during cold months compared to warmer times of year.

Last year, the Red Cross of Georgia responded to nearly 2,500 home fires and helped more than 10,470 people.

What’s Important: Keep all heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn. Test your smoke alarms monthly. Make sure everyone in your home can escape in under two minutes if a fire starts.

How to Stay Safe: Never leave a space heater on when you leave a room or go to sle

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