TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) - The Tifton Fire Department says that home heating is one of the leading causes of winter fires. They have created a list of precautions that can make a big difference.

As temperatures drop, following the list of precautions below can keep you safe in the cold weather:

• Have your heating system inspected by a qualified professional each year.
• Keep a 3-foot safety zone around fireplaces, furnaces, space heaters, and wood stoves.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Plug space heaters directly into the wall, not extension cords or power strips.
• Turn space heaters off before leaving the room or going to bed.
• Use space heaters with tip-over and auto-shutoff features.
• Clean and inspect fireplaces and chimneys before use.
• Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure they’re working properly.

For more information, you can reach the Tifon Fire Department at 229-391-3972.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.