Keeping Warm and Staying SafeKeeping Warm and Staying Safe

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

Want to stay warm, make sure you are staying safe too-

Over half of all home fires related to heating, these resulted from fires that started when heating equipment was placed close to things that are flammable. These are things such as: upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding. Space heaters should be placed a minimum of three feet away from anything that can burn, and need to be turned off when people leave the room or go to sleep.

Here are some tips to keep your home safe this winter while staying warm-

• Have a three foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Hire a qualified professional to install a stationary space heater, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a professional.
• Always use the correct kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
• Make sure the fireplace has a safety screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.
• Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. 
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms to avoid the risk of poisoning. 
• If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.
• Don’t use your oven to heat your home.