Heating Safety 101
Some homeowners prefer to use alternate heating sources to heat their homes during the Fall and Winter in hopes that their energy costs will go down. While using fireplaces, space heaters and the like may sound like a good idea, the truth is using these heating sources has become one of the major contributing factors of home fires.
December through February are the months during which over half of home heating fires occur. Christmas day is the second most frequent day that home heating fires occur, Thanksgiving being the first.
Luckily, most heating related fires can be prevented by following common safety tips.
If you decide to use fireplaces or space heaters follow these safety tips:
- Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves and furnaces.
- Turn space heaters off when going to bed or leaving a room.
- Make a kid/pet free zone around space heaters and open fires.
- Use the right kind of fuel specified by the manufacturer for fuel burning space heaters.
During a holiday like Christmas or a birthday there is an additional fire risk due to the use of trees, gift-wrap, and stockings.
- If using gift-wrap don’t burn the paper in the fireplace. Doing so can result in a flash fire because the wrapping paper can ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
- Hang stockings at least three feet from heat sources.
- If buying a holiday tree make sure to place it away from fireplaces, radiators and portable heaters.
Reducing the overall risk of heating fires in your home is important. Having professional install heating equipment according to local codes and manufacturer’s instructions is ideal. Annual chimney cleaning and inspections are needed. Test smoke alarms on a monthly basis and never use your oven to heat your home.
If you’re looking for ways to lower your energy costs, contact Genz-Ryan today. We offer energy efficient heating systems that will fit every budget and meet every comfort expectation.
