5 Home Heating Safety Tips You Need to Know This Winter
We’re at the heart of winter and things aren’t getting any warmer. They can in your home, however, if you’re not safe about how you heat your house.
All homeowners should have an arsenal of heating safety tips on hand. This helps prevent heating hazards.
Having safety tips on hand and following them protects your investment—your home. You avoid the income loss of a fire while safeguarding your financial well-being. Not to mention, fire prevention practices preserve life.
Knowing how to avert house fires helps circumvent tragedies.
Prevent fires this winter and protect yourself from hidden heater hazards. Learn these five important home heating safety tips!
1. Heating Safety Tips Start With Space
One big mistake that people make with heaters is crowding them. Yes, the closer you get to a heater, the warmer it is, but it’s also dangerous.
Use the 3-foot rule.
This measure normally applies to children, but adults should adhere as well. Giving a heater space to heat the room prevents burns and fires. Also, keep things like furniture, toys, curtains, and electrical cords at a safe distance.
Consider purchasing a heater with an emergency shut-off mechanism. That way if someone tips it or it falls over, it’ll turn off before causing a fire.
2. Smoke Detectors
Depending on the size of your home, you should install smoke detectors on every level. That includes the attic and the basement.
Try interconnecting them, so if one sounds in the attic, the others sound throughout the house.
If they’re already installed, check the battery and manufacturers’ date. Change the batteries at least once a year. Replace detectors altogether once they’ve passed the 10-year mark.
3. Don’t Overload Electrical Outlets
Try not to plug too many heating sources into a single outlet. Overloading outlets and power strips are one of the main causes of residential fires.
If you notice flickering lights or the outlet or strip is hot to the touch, that’s a warning sign. Stick to plugging only one heating source in an outlet or strip. Avoid running cords for electronics in the same outlet as well.
4. Gas Furnace Safety
A large number of homeowners heat their homes with a gas furnace. It’s a safe way to stay warm in winter if you take the right precautions.
First off, the heating process for a has furnace involves fuel and flame, which are hazardous. Make sure you have a flue pipe for proper ventilation when using a gas furnace. Have an HVAC tech take the cap off the pipe and inspect it for blockages.
Install a carbon monoxide alarm in the home.
For optimum safety, do not block the flue pipe. Refrain from piling objects up next to it. You can knock the pipe loose and cause a dangerous fire.
5. Avoid DIYing Stationary Heating Equipment
DIYing different projects in the home do save a lot of money. But, there are some things you need to leave to the pros.
Call a professional to install stationary equipment like water heaters and central heating. Missed or misunderstood steps lead to problems down the road. Plus, if you’re unsure about local codes, you could get fined.
Stay Safe
Home heating safety tips aren’t just for light reading. They save lives and protect your home from fires.
Survey your house. Take note of hazards and use these tips to start protecting yourself.
We can help! Contact us today for seasonal HVAC maintenance and heating repair.