ESSEX Fire & Rescue Service has issued a warning to ensure residents get their heating systems, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide checked.
The service often experiences an increase in calls to incidents caused by candles, heaters, fireplaces and electric blankets during autumn.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here