With temperatures dropping as the week progresses, local firefighters are warning residents to stay safe when heating homes.

Nationally fire deaths are up, and the majority of those dying in house fires did not have working smoke detectors, said Newberry Fire Chief Keith Minick.

A mother and her three small children, with Newberry connections, died in a house fire Friday in Cowpens. Officials say there were no working smoke alarms.

Minick adds that working smoke detectors are the biggest safety measure in the event of a house fire. Firefighters around the county urge homeowners to check their smoke alarms frequently, especially with the arctic chill that is moving into the area.

It is a good idea to replace smoke alarms that are more than 10-years-old.

Another safety measure is to practice having two ways out of a home if a fire does start.

The Fire Chief advocates using only space heaters that have tip-over features.

He adds that if you are using a space heater clear at least three-feet in all directions around it.

Residents are also advised to exercise caution in the indoor use of kerosene heaters. For those using them, it is necessary to cool the heater down and take it outside before refueling.

With fireplaces, it is advised that residents have them checked yearly for residue build-up, and have the chimney cleaned before the first use of the season.

Residents are also asked to store wood or flammable materials away from fireplaces.

Finally, Minick says extension cords should only be a temporary power source, and it is especially dangerous to use them with heating sources.

“People need to also remember that we are here to serve and if they have questions or need help with fire safety to give their local fire department a call,” Minick says.