Experts urge safe home heating practices as winter weather arrives

November 8, 2025 News
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As Kansans brace for frigid temperatures this weekend, safety experts and local officials are urging residents to take precautions when heating their homes. With house fires spiking during the coldest months of the year, knowing how to safely use space heaters, fireplaces, and furnaces can be the difference between comfort and catastrophe.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the U.S., with space heaters responsible for the majority of incidents. The American Red Cross of South Central and Southeast Kansas reports that home fire responses are 30% higher during cold weather than during the rest of the year.

<br />” /><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <p>“Too often we see preventable tragedies happen when families try to stay warm,” said Shannon Wedge, Executive Director of the regional Red Cross. “Simple steps like keeping flammable items three feet away from heat sources and testing smoke alarms can save lives.”</p> <h2>Safe Heating Tips for Winter</h2> <p>To reduce the risk of fire, officials recommend these guidelines:</p> <ol> <li>Use space heaters responsibly: Keep them on a hard, flat, nonflammable surface, turn them off before sleeping or leaving the room, and never plug them into an extension cord.</li> <li>Create a safety zone: Maintain at least a three-foot clearance around heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves, keeping children, pets, and flammable objects at a safe distance..</li> <li>Avoid makeshift heating: Never use ovens or stoves to heat your home — these appliances are not designed for this purpose and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning or fires.</li> <li>Monitor fireplaces carefully: Always use a metal or glass screen, and make sure embers are fully extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house.</li> <li>Schedule annual inspections: Have a professional check your furnace, chimney, and heating systems each year.</li> </ol> <h2>Plan Ahead for Fire Safety</h2> <p>In addition to safe heating practices, it is recommended to test smoke alarms monthly and practice a two-minute home escape plan — the average amount of time a family may have to get out of a burning home. </p> <p>Families who cannot afford smoke alarms or who are unable to install them can contact their local Red Cross office for help.</p> <h2>Home Fire Campaign Continues Saving Lives</h2> <p>Since 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign has partnered with communities nationwide to install free smoke alarms, create fire escape plans, and educate residents on fire safety. The campaign has been credited with saving over 2,500 lives so far.</p> <p>“Preparing now can make all the difference,” Wedge said. “We encourage families to take action before the temperatures drop — your safety depends on it.”</p> <p>For more resources — including the Red Cross First Aid and Emergency apps — <a href=visit redcross.org/apps.