Fire officials urge cold weather preparation as temperatures drop [Video]

As temperatures drop, you may start thinking about turning on the heat or using a space heater.Fire officials say they see an increase in calls during colder weather and stress that there are simple ways to avoid fire hazards.“Hopefully, everybody has had their furnace inspected before the beginning of the heating season,” said John Vanatta, deputy chief of the Rogers Fire Department.Vanatta noted that in winter, one in every seven fires is caused by heating equipment, with space heaters being the most common culprit.“Try to keep them away from flammable materials, like drapes or blankets,” Vanatta said. “Three feet is generally the accepted distance for that stuff.”He also urged homeowners to prepare for emergencies by stocking essential safety items.“We always start with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors,” Vanatta said. “Those are the biggest things. Have a fire extinguisher in your house, preferably one rated for A, B and C fires …