The Firefighters Association of the State of New York is urging people to be careful when heating their homes as winter tightens its grip on the northeast. 

The advisory comes as the region has already seen some structure fires blamed on things like space heaters, heating tape and electrical malfunctions.

Kathy Whyte/ WNBF News
Kathy Whyte/ WNBF News
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FASNY says keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, turn off portable heaters when leaving a room or going to bed, don’t overload outlets and extension cords and test smoke alarms regularly.

The Association says heating is one of the leading causes of fires in the United States with half of all home heating fires coming in December, January and February.

As of this week, FASNY says, New York State leads the nation in fire deaths for the year at 112 fatalities.

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