A fire can be a great way to stay cozy on a chilly day. But with winter in full swing, authorities are reminding homeowners to be careful when getting rid of the ashes.

Improper disposal of ashes can lead to trouble. It’s already happened at least twice this winter, officials said.

On Sunday, ashes placed in a plastic bucket caused a house fire in Rowley.

On Monday, the same thing happened in Granby, when ashes were placed in a plastic tote bin on the back porch of a home. The blaze caused approximately $180,000 in damage before it was extinguished, according to the state Department of Fire Services.

Although ashes may appear cold, seemingly dead coals can stay alive for days, said Jennifer Mieth, spokeswoman for the department.

Fire Services department officials recommend that ashes be stored in a metal bin with a lid, at least 10 feet away from the house.

A metal bin is not flammable, and the lid limits the amount of air that could feed any embers buried in the ash, Mieth said. If a fire starts from the ashes, the 10-foot distance from the house would limit damage.

State officials say ash fires are more likely to happen in cold weather.

Since 2008, the Department of Fire Services has worked to inform the public about proper heating safety during the winter with their Keep Warm Keep Safe campaign.

The campaign has been credited with reducing home heating fires by 46 percent since its inception, said Mieth.

More information on keeping homes safe while staying warm this winter is available at www.mass.gov/keepwarmkeepsafe.

Andrew Grant can be reached at andrew.grant@globe.com.