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ALBANY, GA -- Colder temperatures always send people scrambling for heat but if they’re not careful, things could get hotter than they bargained for.  

Officials with the Albany Fire Department say that when it comes to preventing a fire, the key is preventative maintenance.   

"The 4 or 5 nights in a row that’s going to be in the 20’s and obviously, if one of the appliances people are using to heat with has a flaw, it’s going to show up with extended use," said Chief James Carswell.

Portable heaters can be particularly hazardous.

"If you’re using space heaters, don’t use them after you go to bed," said Carswell. "Make sure you keep it at least three feet away from any kind of material that might catch on fire."

Also pay close attention to fireplaces – most mishaps occur when people don’t remember the basics.

"They close the dampers in the spring and then they don’t open them back up before they use them," said Carswell. "They set a fire in the fireplace and the whole place fills up with smoke."

Even though winter is still their busiest time of year, firefighters say they’re seeing less and less fatalities. That’s because more and more products are being made with fire resistant material – like mattresses.

But Erik Phillips of Mattress World says ‘fire safe’ doesn’t equal ‘fire free.’

"Your comforter can go up, your blankets, the crocheted blanket that grandma made 30 years ago, all that stuff," said Phillips. "If a spark hits it, something’s gonna’ light up."