HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla., (WFLA) — With the cold snap hitting Tampa Bay this week, people need to make sure they are heating their homes safely.

Local fire departments and HVAC companies are preparing for an increase in calls as people turn the heat on for the first time in months.

The owner of 'I Know A Guy AC,' Chad Kaaa, said it's important for people to turn their heat on as soon as they get home to check for any problems or smells.

Kaaa said he and his guys are on standby Monday night and Tuesday with the colder weather.

"We're prepped for it, that first cold spell is the first time the heat gets kicked on, it's probably been 10 or 11 months and we're going to have problems, we're going to have burning smells, there's a lot going on," he said.

Kaaa said people need to be proacti

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