As cold weather moves in, here are some home heating safety tips

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As temperatures drop across the region, safety officials are reminding people to take precautions when heating their homes.

Each winter, fire departments respond to hundreds of incidents caused by unsafe heating practices, from space heaters left unattended to improper use of fireplaces and stoves.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires and injuries in the United States, especially during the colder months.

Keep space heaters safe

Place heaters on flat, level surfaces and keep them at least three feet away from anything that can burn, such as curtains, bedding or furniture. Turn off space heaters before leaving a room or going to sleep. Never plug them into extension cords or power stri