KIRKSVILLE, MO -- Winter weather made its first appearance in the Heartland Sunday.
   
With many families struggling to heat their homes this winter, outdoor wood stoves have become popular. They can be dangerous, so we sent our Fact Finder Team to get the safety information you need to know when using a wood stove.

“They're dangerous. You've got a fire. Anytime you're messing with any kind of fire, it's dangerous. But just follow the instructions of the manufacturer, how to establish them, set them up, maintain them, and they should be all right,” said Novinger Fire Chief David Kittle.

The Adair County Fire Chiefs Association tells Fact Finder that outdoor stove owners are often under the impression that they're safer because the stove is not inside their home, but they can still cause home or grass fires.
   
Firefighters say you should keep the ground around the stove clean and keep it in good working condition.