Winter Check-Up

Winter is just around the corner and soon we’ll be turning up our heaters and chopping wood for our fireplaces. Okay, so maybe we won’t exactly be chopping our own wood, but before you rush out to buy your favorite s’mores ingredients, conducting a pre winter check-up could help you minimize fire hazards in your home. According to the Home Safety Council, more home fires are started by heating equipment than any other cause during the winter months. Stay warm and safe this winter season by following these simple tips.

Before you turn up the heat, make sure to have your furnace inspected in order to make certain that the furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition. Most furnace manufactures recommend conducting yearly annual inspections. Also, be sure to remove all flammable material from the area surrounding your furnace.

If you’re using a space heater to warm any part of your home this winter, make certain that it is placed at least three feet away from any flammable objects. Space heaters should have plenty of room around them and should be kept far away from objects such as furniture or curtains. You should never leave a space heater on while it is unattended; if you leave the room or plan to fall asleep, make sure to turn off your heater.

If you plan to heat your home with a wood burning fireplace this winter, have your chimney or flue inspected annually and cleaned if necessary. Also, make certain to use a glass or metal cover at the entrance of the fireplace, doing so will prevent sparks from escaping. Never use charcoal inside your fireplace. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, burning charcoal indoors may produce toxic amounts of carbon monoxide. Also, do not place any flammable items on or near your fireplace’s mantel in order to prevent a fire.

A smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector should be installed on every level of your home. Each of them should be tested once a month and their batteries replaced on a yearly bases.

As the winter months grow colder, we may be tempted to do all we can to heat our homes, but products such as a range or an oven should never be used to warm up your home. Ovens typically produce carbon monoxide, and these levels increase each time the oven door is opened.

In addition to preparing the inside of you home, the outdoors requires some preparations as well. Don’t forget to insulate water lines so as to keep your water supply from freezing. If you own any pets that you are unable to bring indoors during the extreme cold, make certain that they have proper shelter and access to fresh, unfrozen water.

We want you to stay warm and safe this winter. Follow this winter checklist to keep you and your family safe this holiday season.

 

 

Were these suggestions helpful? What else do you do to prepare your home for the winter weather? Let us know! We’d be honored to read your comments.