The colder temperatures will force many families to use portable heaters to keep their homes warm. However, those heaters can be dangerous if they malfunction or are not used properly.
A space heater may be small in size, but when not operated the right way, the fire it sparks can destroy an entire home.
“This truly can happen to anyone,” said Executive Director of the Cape Fear Chapter of the Red Cross James Jarvis.
Jarvis also said that nearly three out of every four fire-related deaths happen in instances where portable heating devices are used.
After a fire in Tabor City Sunday night, investigators say a nine-year old girl turned a space heater on in her bedroom before she fell asleep. She woke up with the room full of flames.