A USA Today news item reports that about 80 percent of winter heating fire deaths is caused by heaters. This should be a statistic to cause to sit up and listen. Without wasting much time, here are some things you can do to prevent this happening to you.
Clear Vents and Furnaces
Before starting your unit, ensure that no flammable materials like newspapers, cardboard boxes and rags are near the heating the heating system. This is also true for the vents. A poorly ventilated furnace can turn even the smallest of sparks into a huge blaze. Keep anything flammable at least three feet from your heating equipment including wood stoves, space heaters, furnaces and fireplaces.
Have Unit Checked
Have a professional check of heating and air near me regularly for peace of mind that the system is operating at optimal levels. The repairman will also make sure that all connections going in and out of your system are not showing any worrying signs of wear. Make sure that everything is in tip top condition before the unit is needed to save time and money, as well as guaranteeing your family’s safety.
Turn Your Portable Heaters Off
Every time you leave a room or as you go to bed, turn off your space heaters. Heating a room you are not in is not necessary and can also be a possible fire hazard as you snooze. The same caution should apply when and if you use candles.
The fire department is always asking homeowners to ensure that the batteries in the smoke detector are changed at least twice a year. If you have not changed the batteries in a while, change them as soon as you turn on your furnace the first time. Heating and air equipment fires are major causes of home fires.
