Before you start using your fireplace, space heater, or furnace for the first time in several months, firefighters hope you take the necessary precautions to keep your family safe. According to the National Fire Protection Association, home fires occur more in the winter than in any other season, with heating equipment being the main culprit. Heating equipment is involved in one of every six reported home fires and one in every five home fire deaths. Door and Kewaunee counties have struggled to get out of the teens with their overnight lows, and the temperature is not expected to touch 40 degrees until next week. Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Chief Chris Hecht says simple maintenance can help you avoid common problems they see on calls.

For some property owners, Thanksgiving marked their final weekend in the area before heading to their primary residence or a warmer locale for the winter. Hecht says you can also do things to avoid troubling phone calls while you are away.

The NFPA also advises you to keep a close eye on the lights, candles, and Christmas trees you use to decorate your home for the holidays.