COLUMBIA, (WACH/AP) -- As temperatures fall, authorities in Columbia are warning people to be careful with heating their homes.

Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins says heat sources are a leading cause of home fires and fire deaths in the U.S.

Jenkins says people should make sure bedding and furniture are kept away from heaters and should make sure anything that burns fuel is vented to the outside.

The chief also encourages everyone to have carbon monoxide alarms inside their homes and have chimneys and wood stoves inspected each year.

The National Fire Protection Association says heating equipment like space heaters and fireplaces caused more than 66,000 home structure fires nationwide in 2008, resulting in 480 civilian deaths and $1.1 billion in direct property damage.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)