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If the sounds of fire engines and other emergency vehicles sound strange to you during the winter, they shouldn’t. Winter is prime time for house fires, and much of that is caused by the way we heat our homes.
The good news is that, with a little planning forethought, most home fires are preventable. Here are a few steps worth following for your added peace of mind.
Fireplace Safety
Keep the fireplace area free of any flammable materials.
Leave the glass fireplace door open while burning a fire to ensure proper air circulation and prevent creosote from building up on the chimney walls.
Always fully extinguish the fire before leaving the house or going to bed.
Have your chimney cleaned annually by a trained chimney specialist.
Space Heater Safety
Choose one that has the UL (or comparable) safety seal of approval.
Only plug in one heat producing source into the same outlet at a time, and avoid using extension cords with space heaters.
Keep at least 3 feet of space between your space heater and flammable materials such as bedding, draperies, and upholstered furniture.
Do not leave a space heater on when you are not in the room or after going to sleep, even if the space heater is in your bedroom.
Furnace Safety
Keep your furnace operating effectively and efficiently by keeping vents clean and free of debris.
Do not store combustible materials such as gasoline, paint thinners, propane, and pesticides near your furnace; plus, keep the area clean and unobstructed.
Be aware of unusual odors or sounds coming from your furnace or registers.
Have your furnace inspected and cleaned once a year by a qualified HVAC technician.
GBT Heating and Cooling is dedicated not only to your family’s year-round indoor comfort, but your added safety, as well. That’s why we encourage and perform annual heating system preventative maintenance. During our inspections, for example, we tighten all electrical connections to help prevent an electrical fire. We also inspect heat exchangers for any signs of carbon monoxide leakage. And those are just two of the safety measures we employ.
Has it been a year or longer since your furnace was last professionally inspected. If so, we invite you to contact us today to request service.