If you live in a colder climate, then you know how essential
it is to heat your home
during the fall and winter seasons. The unfortunate
reality is that however you heat your living space – whether it be through the
use of a furnace, stove, fireplace or combination of methods – failure to
follow standard safety practices puts your home at risk of fire.
Use these tips to practice safe home heating and enjoy the
comfort of your home with peace of mind.
If you heat your home with a furnace
Have your furnace
inspected. Contact a professional to
inspect your furnace annually. A professional will be able to identify any
issues with your furnace and get everything ship-shape for the cold months
ahead.
Keep flammable
materials away. Keeping flammable items at
least three feet away from your furnace will greatly reduce your risk of fire.
Common flammable items include curtains, newspaper, gasoline, sawdust, paint
and paint thinner.
Replace filters. Change
your filters every month or two to keep your furnace running at optimum
capacity. You may want to consider
changing your filters even more frequently if you have pets or smoke.
If you heat your home with a wood or
pellet stove
Have your chimney
cleaned by a professional. Before the cold
weather hits, it’s important to have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a
professional. Not sure how to tell when it needs to be cleaned? Read more here.
Never put ashes
in a plastic container. Instead, place
ashes in a sturdy metal container with a lid and store it outside. Always wait
for ashes to cool before removing and clean your stove regularly to prevent
build up.
If you have a wood stove, burn proper fuel. Wood should be cut, split and air-dried for at least a year
before burning. Keep your seasoned wood dry and protected by stacking it in a
shed or covered with a tarp.
General home heating
safety tips:
- When left too long, dust is extremely flammable! Take
time every week to vacuum and dust to prevent dust build-up in your home.
- Never leave candles unattended and – if you want to be
extra safe – opt for flameless fragrance solutions.
- Be cautious with space heaters; never plug them into a
power strip or extension cord and never leave them unattended. Look for space
heaters that have an automatic turn-off should they be knocked over.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home
and test them periodically.
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom and throughout your
home. Test them every season.
- Never use your oven to heat your home as this can lead to
a carbon monoxide risk.
- Designate a “kid-free zone” around your fireplace and heating appliances. For extra
caution, use radiator covers to prevent burns.
Following these safety tips can help you lower your risk of
having a home fire and help you achieve greater
peace of mind.
In addition to preventing against fire risks this winter,
ensure that your home is protected in all situations. Click on the button below
to contact an agent and learn more about home and property offerings.
