Home Heating Safety Tips

Now that the weather is cooler and winter is fast approaching, heating safety is something every homeowner should be thinking about. If you choose to use supplemental heating equipment in your home, such as space heaters, fireplaces, etc., please follow these heating safety tips to enjoy a warmer, safer, winter.

• Keep all flammable items at least three feet away from heating equipment. That includes your furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable heater.
• Make sure you establish a three to four foot children’s safety perimeter around fires and space heaters. Make sure your kids know how close they can get to the heating source and still be safe.
• Never use your oven as a heating source. It may seem convenient, but it is fraught with many risks.
• Follow all manufacturers’ instructions for space heating equipment and make sure your central heat, water heater, etc. meet local electrical and fire safety codes.
• Before you start using your fireplace, have the chimney inspected by a qualified professional.
• Always turn off portable heaters when you leave the room or go to bed.
• Always use a manufacturer’s specified fuel for space heaters.
• Make sure that your fireplace has a screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room and potentially starting a fire. Furthermore, make sure ashes are cool before moving them into a metal container. Always remember to keep the ash container a safe distance from your home and away from flammable objects.
• If you’re having trouble with your home heating system, call a well-qualified HVAC contractor to asses and fix the problem.
• Most importantly, test your smoke detectors once a month and install a carbon monoxide detector (if you haven’t done so already).

To learn more about heating safety and fire prevention, visit The National Fire Protection Association website.