YOUR HOUSE, Winter Cold - The upcoming chilly forecast means more people are heading indoors and turning up the heat. But staying warm can be deadly if you don't take some precautions.

Nearly half of all home-heating fires occur during the winter months,leading to more than 600 deaths a year.

Carbon monoxide, produced when burning any fuels, kills another 1,200 people.

Most of these tragedies are preventable. So, here's what you can do to stay safe while staying warm:

* Have your chimney inspected every year and cleaned if necessary.

* Always allow ashes to cool before disposing and put them in a metal container, not a paper bag.

* Give space heaters plenty of room. Keep things like furniture, books and bedding at least 3 feet away.

* Install smoke alarms in every bedroom and outside every sleeping area on every level of your home.

* Make sure you install a carbon monoxide alarm outside each sleeping area.

* Never use an oven to heat your home.

There's one more important step. Be sure your family has an escape plan. Now is a great time to sit down and figure out how to get out of your house safely and where you would go in case of emergency.