As colder weather sets in there are some safety tips you should be aware of.

Those who use space heaters should take proper precautions. According to Kevin Royse, Junction City Fire/EMS Chief, space heaters are the cause of  one third of all house fires in the United States. “Fifty percent of all house fires occur in the months of December, January and February across the United States. It just makes sense, it’s colder weather, and people are starting to use different types of heating sources to heat their homes.”

Proper maintenance of heating sources reduce the risk of fire. Space heaters should be kept 18 to 24 inches away from any combustible.”That includes bedding, upholstered furniture, any type of combustible material needs to maintain at least a two foot radius around any heating device especially space heaters.”

Royse also cautioned those who buy real Christmas trees for the holidays. He said to keep the tree well watered.”Once a Christmas tree dries out, it’s basically just kindling inside your home.”

Colder weather also brings the possibility for frozen pipes. Kevin Connell with Connell Plumbing and Heating Inc. in Junction City said that he hasn’t received to many calls for frozen pipes yet.”A lot of times the pipe will freeze and we don’t know it until it starts thawing out. That’s when we’ll get the calls.”

Connell suggested to walk around the house and block off any outside air flow and keep the house warm. “There’s a time where you try to save money so you turn the thermostat down but what happens is if you’ve got a marginal frozen pipe situation, that’s when the pipe will freeze. So you might actually have to turn the temperature up a degree or two to keep the pipes from freezing.”

Temperatures aren’t expected to get back over freezing until early next week.