INDIANAPOLIS (WOWO): With cold weather right around the corner, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security is warning Hoosiers to be safe when heating their homes. They say every year, unsafe alternative heating sources are one of the leading causes of home fires and fire-related deaths during the winter months.

Two of the leading culprits are improper use of space heaters and using a cooking stove or oven as a heating source. Hoosiers are urged to make sure space heaters are kept away from flammable materials and far away from items like curtains, bedding or clothing.

Each year it is recommended that Hoosiers evaluate the condition of their traditional furnaces before turning them on for the winter. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates one in four furnaces has been in operation for 20 years or more, making it even more important that a trained professional evaluate a furnace’s condition and operation.