Winter brings the holidays and family gatherings, but it also brings the heating season. As nice as winter can be, it can also come with some problems. Staying warm can be tough on the budget with energy costs, especially if the winter drags on or is especially severe. There are also dangers associated with heating, most notably fires and carbon monoxide.
We want to take a few minutes to talk about how to keep your home warm and safe this winter, no matter if you heat by fireplace, furnace, or a combination of both.
- Under no circumstance should you ever use outdoor heaters inside your home. If you need localized heat in your home, use space heaters designed to be used inside.
- Do not use extension cords or plug bars for space heaters. These types of devices draw a lot of energy and must be directly plugged into a grounded wall outlet. Unplug them when you are done, do not just turn them off!
- Do not leave pets or children around any heating device or the fireplace. It only takes a moment for them to get injured, or accidentally do something that creates a fire hazard. Teach them about the dangers of heating devices and fires as well.
- Look at the areas around furnaces, fireplaces, and space heaters to make sure nothing flammable is nearby. Ember from fires and any source of heat can spark a fire under the right circumstances.
- Have fire extinguishers around the home. Check to make sure they are in good operating condition, and that every member of the family knows how to use them and where they are stored. If you have a large home, or upstairs, have additional extinguishers available.
- Make sure your home is adequately covered by both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. You need enough to cover your home, around heating and sleeping areas. Check their batteries several times a year as well. If you’re not sure how many of each you need, or where they should go, this website has advice to help.
- Inspect all of your heating equipment before use to make sure it is in good working condition. This includes your fireplace and your heating system. You will most likely need to call a professional to inspect and maintain the equipment so that it not only works correctly, but safely. If you use space heaters, check the cords for use of wear and replace them if anything looks off. It is always better to be safe than sorry!
- Have a fire escape plan for your family, just in case. This should include escape routes and information on where to meet outside the home. It also needs to be tailored for the ages of your family members and include your pets. This can be a daunting task but is very important so don’t put it off. You can get advice on how to do this from the National Fire Protection Association.
Winter is inevitable, but you don’t have to be at risk just to stay cozy. Following these tips will help you keep your home warm all winter, and safe against fires. If you aren’t sure how to maintain your HVAC, or think it might not be operating correctly, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help. Just call 800-662-4318, we’re available 24/7 for all your heating repairs and emergencies.
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