The cold weather means an increased chance of house fires, and the Corvallis Fire Department is warning residents to be careful with electrical heating systems, and to always treat them as a potential danger.

Many people aren’t aware that most baseboard heaters, wall fans and portable space heaters don’t have an off position.

Instead, they have a low setting typically between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some residents leave combustible material too close to heating units, thinking they are turned off.

An unanticipated drop in temperature, however, can turn those heating systems on and cause fires.

At a minimum, there should be three feet of clearance around heating appliances, the Fire Department suggested.