Heating Safety Tips to Keep your Home Warm and Safe
When the weather is freezing outside, there’s nothing better than coming home to a warm, cozy environment. But sometimes not taking safety precautions can turn the comfortable, heated house into a hazard.
Did you know that an estimated 50 percent of all home fires are reported during a three-month time period? Yes, you guessed: December, January, and February, according to the National Fire Protection Agency.
No matter if your house has a gas or oil furnace, an electric heater, or a big wood fireplace – there’s always a little bit of checking to do before winter hits! That’s why we gathered the valuable safety tips below to help you keep your home warm, but safe.
If you use electric heating…
- Don’t put anything on top of the heaters, even if you really need those damp socks to get dry. When in contact with the heat source, objects could melt and/or catch fire.
- If using a portable electric heater, avoid using extension cords. Plug it directly into a wall outlet.
- Keep portable heaters out of reach of children and pets and don’t leave it unattended while on.
- Check all heater cords and don’t use the appliance if they are split or damaged in any way. Instead, have the cords replaced by a professional or purchase a new heater.
If you use oil or gas heating…
- Get your heating system inspected by a certified expert every year, it’s always good to understand if everything is in order before winter hits.
- Clean accumulated snow on outside units during winter.
- Remember that every room with a gas or oil heating unit needs a carbon monoxide detector.
- If you have a gas fireplace, always turn it off before leaving the house or going to bed and don’t forget to check if the glass doors are airtight.
If you use wood to heat your home…
- Have your chimney checked and cleaned annually by a professional. It’s important that they sweep any creosote and tar (that comes from the burning wood) since they can build up in the piper and in the chimney flue.
- You should only burn paper and wood in your fireplace since other materials could release toxic fumes.
- Firewood and other combustible materials must be stocked away from the heating unit, at least 1.5m (5 feet) away.
- Fire ashes should always be cool before putting them into any kind of covered, metal container, and those containers must be kept at a safe distance from your home. Attention: never dispose of ashes into a plastic container.
Make sure that there’s at least one working fire extinguisher in your home and that everyone in the household knows how to use it. It’s also good to remember that ovens and stovetops should never be used as heating devices and you should never leave candles burning unattended!
Write those tips down and make a checklist every fall. It’s always better to be safely inside when it’s freezing cold outside!
Want to add an extra layer of safety? Contact us and we can help you and your house get insured – and prepared for any unexpected situation! Visit our contact page or call us at (902) 892-5433.