With a cold snap predicted this evening through Saturday, people are urged to be cautious while heating their homes.

The National Fire Protection Association said 46% of home heating equipment fires occur during the winter months.

When not used property, home heating equipment is the second leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire injuries, and the third-leading cause of home fire deaths and direct property damage.

“During the coldest months of the year, home heating equipment kicks into high gear, so making sure it is in good working order and used properly is critical to reducing the likelihood of fire,” said Lorraine Carli of the NFPA. “By better understanding when and where home heating fires happen, people can take the steps to minimize associated risks and safely heat their homes.”

The National Fire Protection Association found that an average of 44,210 home heating fires occurred each year between 2016 and 2020. Many were deadly, resulting in the loss of 480 lives and injuries to 1,370.

Space heaters are most often responsible for home heating equipment fires, accounting for one-third of the fires, as well as 88% of the deaths and 80% of the injuries.

The National Weather Service forecasts Thursday’s evening low at 20 degrees and Friday’s high at 21 degrees. The temperature will drop to 5 degrees Friday night and it won’t get above freezing until Sunday.

NFPA offered these tips for safe home heating during the winter:

• Heating equipment and chimneys should be cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from all heating equipment, including furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters.

• Always use the right kind of fuel, as specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.

• Create a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.

• Make sure space heaters are in good working order and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

• Fireplaces should have a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container, which should be placed outside at least 10 feet away from a structure home.

• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

• If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.

• Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are located throughout the home. Test them monthly to ensure that they’re working properly.