Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the months of December, January and February.

The latest statistics from the National Fire Protection Association say that in 2008 heating equipment was involved in an estimated 66,100 reported U.S. home structure fires. Those fires amounted to 480 civilian deaths, 1,660 civilian injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage.

Space heaters are the main culprit. Between 2004 and 2008, whether portable or stationary, space heaters accounted for 82% of home heating fire deaths. One of the most dangerous things you can do is put a space heater too close to things that can burn (such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses and bedding).