Safety Tips for Heating Your Home
In the interest of keeping you toasty and safe this winter, here are safety tips for each of the five common ways of heating a home.
Electric space heaters
Electric space heaters cause the majority of fatal house fires. December-February are the leading months for home heating fires.
Do not leave an electric space heater unattended. If you are using an extension cord make sure it is rated for the wattage the heater draws. This information is normally printed on the cord itself and the information plate on the heater.
Kerosene heaters
The biggest dangers from kerosene heaters lie in two areas. The first is that many accidental fires are started from fuel being spilled while the heater is still hot or burning. To reduce the chance of this happening, be sure the heater is off and has had time to cool before fueling. Clean up any spills immediately.
The second concern is that kerosene heaters consume oxygen and can produce carbon monoxide and other deadly fumes. They should only be used in well-ventilated areas. Drowsiness and lethargy are early signs of asphyxiation. If you feel woozy while using a kerosene heater, get fresh air immediately.
Wood stoves
A wood fire can warm a home in more ways than one, but is not without dangers. Whether you are using a woodstove or fireplace for heat, be sure you know what precautions to take. Don’t leave a fire unattended, do not put combustible materials close to the fire, and discard all ashes outside in a metal container with a lid to avoid the risk of causing fires.
A properly designed and installed fireplace or woodstove should not let smoke into your home. If you smell smoke, it means your unit is not drafting properly and could present a danger of asphyxiation. You should call a certified technician to check it immediately. READ MORE
