GREENVILLE, S.C. —

The winter months pose a high risk for residential fires as temperatures drop and families opt for alternate ways to heat their homes.

A report from the National Fire Protection Association said heating fires peaked during winter months last year, with 46% of home heating fires happening between December and February. U.S. fire departments responded to an annual estimated average of 38,881 home heating equipment fires between 2019 and 2023, resulting in 432 civilian deaths, 1,352 injuries, and $1.1 billion in property damages.

The same report found space heaters and heating stoves were the type of heating equipment involved in nearly one-third of the fires, accounting for nearly eight out of 10 deaths and seven out of 10 injuries.

According to FEMA, half of all home

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