It is always heartbreaking to hear of people losing their homes to fire. Or worse, losing their lives.

And it seems to happen more this time of year. Is it because of the cold weather and the holidays? We heat our homes and spend more time cooking. And then there are the decorative candles, which can prove disastrous if left unattended.

So, ’tis the season for fire safety tips.

First of all, smoking is a major cause of fire deaths among the elderly. Decreased functioning of the senses, which can prevent a senior from immediately smelling smoke, inattention and medications that cause drowsiness or confusion may be culprits.

A cigarette could be dropped and start smoldering before the person even realizes it. It may not necessarily be a big fire but one may die from smoke inhalation.

If you smoke, check around furniture for discarded cigarettes that may have fallen, and use large deep ashtrays. Before tossing the contents in the trash, soak the ashtray to be sure all smoking materials are extinguished. And never smoke in bed.

Cooking is another cause of fire-related injuries among seniors. The most common problem is leaving the area to do other things. Keep an eye on what you’re cooking so you can react quickly if necessary.

Here are some tips to make cooking safer:

. If you need to leave the stove, turn it off first.

. Should a grease fire occur, smother it with the lid of a pot. Never try to extinguish it with water and it’s best not to use baking soda which can splash back. Sometimes people panic and throw on anything white such as flour or sugar. Small five-pound fire extinguishers are available and would be a good investment.

. If your clothes ignite, remember to stop, drop and roll. If this is physically impossible, keep a flame-retardant blanket near by to smother the fire, while being careful not to fan it.

. Keep burners free of spills, grease build-up, even a tea kettle. It is easy to turn on the wrong burner or forget to fill the kettle with water.

. Wear tight or short sleeves to prevent igniting your clothes on a burner. Also, keep towels, potholders and wooden spoons away from burners as they could easily ignite.

Working smoke detectors are crucial to fire safety. Models are available with flashing lights for hearing impaired individuals. It is also important to have a carbon monoxide detector.

If you do call 911, make getting to your aid easier for emergency crews by putting large highly reflective, numbers on your house that are visible from the street. Call Eastern Agency on Aging for information on the House Numbering Project.

There is nothing more frustrating than going by the place and having to turn around and go back when visiting someone. Imagine a firetruck or ambulance. If they can’t find you readily, your life or home could hang in the balance. Get your house sign. They are inexpensive and make a great holiday gift for a loved one.

Just a few final points:

. Space heaters need three feet of space all the way around. Do not place them near anything flammable such as papers or clothing.

. Have an escape plan and make sure visitors, especially children, are aware of it.

. Candles can add ambience to a room but it is safest to burn them on the stovetop.

. Make sure that wood stoves and chimneys are properly maintained. The cleaning logs advertised on television are not a substitute for a good cleaning.

If there is a fire, get out and then call the Fire Department. No fire is too small to call 911.

A few safety precautions can ensure a happy season.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at EAA. For information on EAA, call 941-2865 or toll-free (800) 432-7812, or log on www.eaaa.org. For TTY, call 992-0150.