PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania is reminding residents to take proper precautions to heat their homes safely.

The Red Cross announced that, in the month of December alone, they responded to more than 260 home fires in Pennsylvania, assisting over 1,100 people, and 6,000 home fires nationally, assisting 23,000 people.

“Home fires are the most frequent disasters we respond to, and we see the risk rise during the winter months as families rely more on cooking and heating equipment,” Jorge Martinez, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania, said. “Here in Pennsylvania, our volunteer teams respond to home fires far too often, but many of these emergencies are preventable. Taking simple safety steps can help protect families and save lives.”

PHOTOS: Firefighters battle early morning fire in Huntingdon County

According to the Red Cross, there are two simple steps to stay safe:

Test all smoke detectors every month, especially in the winter months.

Practice an escape plan, ensuring everyone can evacuate the home in under two minutes.

The Red Cross also provided the following tips on safely heating your home:

Space heaters are the most common source of home heating fires. Do not leave it unattended and place it on a hard, level and nonflammable surface. Keep it away from rugs, carpets, bedding or drapes. Do not use an extension cord with your space heater; plug it directly into the wall.

Keep children, pets and anything flammable at least three feet away from a heating source.

Never use a kitchen stove or oven to heat your home.

Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended and use a fire screen. Ensure that you extinguish remaining embers before leaving the fire.

Keep furnaces, chimneys, and fireplaces clean and inspected annually.

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Learn more about home fire safety on the Red Cross website.

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