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With the cold winter months comes the rise in home heating costs and the increased use of alternative heating sources. Statistics show that the number of home fires increases dramatically, fueled in part by the increase in alternative heating sources, seasonal displays and candles.

Fireplaces, space heaters and chimneys were involved in 68 percent of the home heating fires reported to the nation’s fire departments, according to the latest figures from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

It’s important to take the appropriate steps to protect what matters most – your loved ones and your property. Most fires are preventable. Taking a few simple precautions can help ensure a warm and safe winter.

• Have chimneys professionally inspected at least once a year.
• Burn only wood, not cardboard or trash.
• Use a fireplace screen big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace.
• Be sure to check with the local fire department and check local codes before installing a wood burning stove.

• Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything combustible.
• Use only heaters with the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) safety listing.
• Avoid using extension cords with space heaters. If one must be used, be sure the cord is marked "12-guage" or "14-guage."
• Before buying a kerosene heater, check with the local fire department to ensure that it is legal.
• Use only the fuel recommended by the manufacturer.
• Be sure portable heating devices are off when leaving the room.

• Always use stable, nonflammable candle holders.
• Always keep burning objects up high, out of the reach of children or where pets might knock them over.
• Leave plenty of space between the candle and objects above.
• Never leave burning candles unattended.

Remember, don’t leave children or pets unattended near any heating source and create an evacuation plan for your home and make sure everyone in your home knows what to do in case of a fire.

To learn more ways to protect your home and family, contact a nearby Nationwide insurance agent or go to nationwide.com.

Often known as a silent killer, carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas that poses a substantial risk to families using fuel-burning heating sources during the winter months. In fact, according to a Home Safety Council report, CO poisoning accounted for more than 100,000 medical visits in the year studied.

If fuel-burning heating sources are defective, improperly vented or poorly maintained, residents are at increased risk for CO poisoning.

The symptoms -- headaches and dizziness -- can be mistaken for flu or other illness. "A carbon monoxide detector is critical in alerting families to CO levels that may pose a serious health threat," said Home Safety Council President Meri-K Appy.

To reduce the chances of CO poisoning:

• Install at least one CO alarm in your home, specifically near sleeping areas.

• Ventilate the room when using a kerosene space heater.

• Inspect, clean and tune-up the central heating system and chimneys each year.

• Open the flue before you build a fire in the fireplace.

• Keep gas appliances properly vented, adjusted and serviced.

• Never use a range or oven to heat your home.

• Never use a gas barbecue grill or generator inside your home or in a closed garage.