The month of October has been dedicated to assisting families in stopping house fires.

National Fire Prevention Month is geared toward making homes prepared to combat any fire disaster during the colder months. Furnaces and filters should be inspected during the fall by a certified HVAC worker. It's also imperative for smoke alarms to be tested and re-charged. Carl Baker, Executive Director of the Mid-Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross, says families should also create evacuation plans for precaution.

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Baker explains using kerosene heaters or generators can produce emissions that won't be pleasant in the house. Heating the home with the stove is also not a good idea.

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Other tips from Baker include creating a safe place for wallets, medications and other needed items. He also recommends that families plan an evacuation meeting place that has a distance of at least the next-door neighbors' yard.