Video: Cold brings potential dangers in homes

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SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. - Looking at the destruction, Royal Bettis fought back tears.

It’s the home of his nephew's family. Investigators say the family was using a heat lamp to keep their pets warm and it's believed that heat lamp sparked the fire.

"Everything's burned up and destroyed, her piano and everything," said friend Karen Blankenship.

The family escaped the fire safely, but the pets did not.

Firefighters say when it gets cold, the best intentions can lead to trouble.

Often they see portable heaters placed too close to flammables cause house fires.

And generators running in garages and charcoal grills used indoors cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

"We don't want people bringing outdoor appliances, things that are meant for the outside, bringing it inside their homes, that's very dangerous," said Richelle Risdon, Monroe Fire Dist. No. 3.

Then there are the troubles that aren't dangerous, but still costly.

"There is nothing more devious and unforgiving than a broken frozen pipe," said Bruce Davis of Day & Nite Plumbing.

Davis says as this cold weather persists, copper pipes that aren't insulated will freeze and rupture.

"It actually physically splits and opens up the pipe," he said.

Davis says with the economy the way it is, some people are trying to save money by turning off their heat while they're away.

he says during a during a cold snap like this, that could cost you several times what you'd ever save.

His advice?

"During the week or so of really cold weather, don't go any lower than 68 degrees or so," he said.

Best advice for both people and their property is to "bundle up" Instead of using a space heater, wear warm clothes or throw on an extra blanket.

And bundle up your pipes with insulation.