MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - A Meridian Township barn goes from delicate to destroyed in just a few hours.

Township Fire Inspector Tavis Millerov has been staying busy from the uptick in residential house fires this season encouraging residents to take simple precautionary measures when heating your home that may just save a life.

“Anytime you’re emptying your ashes out of the fireplace you always want to make sure those are kept in an airtight metal container somewhere outside in the yard, preferably not on a deck, a porch, or close to any kind of a structure at all," Millerov said.

As the cold months make a brisk return, staying warm also means staying safe. If you’re using a space heater to do so, always make sure it is turned off when you aren't around and is kept 3 feet clear of any combustible materials.

Getting your chimney swept, furnace inspected yearly, and keeping an eye on your thermostat can not only save you money on your monthly bill, but also keep you and your family out of possible danger.

“The best thing to do is to have a neighbor or someone monitor your house, know that you’re gone so that if there’s a power outage and you don’t have a backup generator, they can come over and shut the water off or something," said Craig Phillipich, Marketing Manager of The Meridian Company.

Phillipich also suggests seasonal tuneups and repairs to gas stoves or fireplaces are a must to prevent leakage that could lead to Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Although the causes of these local fires remains unknown, it’s always important to check all smoke alarms in your home according to the National Fire Protection Association. If a fire does occur be sure to call 911 immediately and get help right away.