Modern heating systems were one of the greatest inventions for homes because they made it possible for people to live comfortably in cooler climates like Indiana. They also meant homeowners didn’t have to get up in the middle of the night to add logs to a fire or shovel coal into a stove to keep their families warm.
Not only were the new home heating systems more convenient, but they were also considerably safer than what they replaced. However, that safety record isn’t perfect. The National Fire Protection Association calls heating equipment one of the biggest causes of fires in homes. In 2020, there were nearly 33,000 residential fires in the U.S., leading to 125 deaths and 575 injuries, plus an astounding $379 million in loss and damages. Half of all home fires occur during the winter months.
The good news is you can significantly reduce the potential for a heating-related home fire by following some simple, common-sense steps. Nardco Heating and Air Conditioning shares winter heating safety tips.
Tips for Preventing Home Heating Fires
Here is what the Nardco Heating and Air Conditioning team recommends:
- Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors. You should have a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home, as well as smoke alarms on every level and in each room where people sleep. Check those smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least twice each year, and change the batteries annually.
- Learn The Symptoms. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that kills. If you’re suffering from dizziness or an unusual headache, are nauseous, or are short of breath, you may be breathing carbon monoxide. Move everyone outdoors quickly, and see if your symptoms improve. If you think there’s a carbon monoxide problem in your home, call 911 or a heating and cooling company right away.
- Be Careful With Space Heaters. People often use space heaters to deliver additional warmth in chilly rooms, but space heaters present an increased risk for fire. Never leave them on while you’re asleep, and only plug electric space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Electric space heaters use a lot of electricity and can easily overload extension cords and power strips. Never use a gas-, propane-, or kerosene-fueled portable space heater indoors because they generate deadly carbon monoxide gas.
- Keep Your Home Tidy. Don’t allow papers, dust, and other flammable items to collect near heating registers, space heaters, or other elements of your heating system. Also keep old rags, sawdust, and flammable chemicals like paint thinner at least three feet away (and more is better) from your furnace or heat pump.
- Protect Airflow. Don’t allow furniture, rugs, or debris to block heat registers. If there’s heavy snow and you have a high-efficiency furnace, make sure those white plastic pipes that bring fresh outdoor air to your furnace and take exhaust air outside aren’t covered by drifts. In addition, change your furnace filter regularly.
- Cook With Your Oven Or Stovetop. Using your oven or stove to heat a room is a recipe for disaster. Ovens and stovetops are designed for cooking food, not heating rooms, and they are extremely inefficient heating sources. Plus, gas ovens can release carbon monoxide and other pollutants into your home.
- Have An Escape Plan. Everyone in your home should know how to get out in case of a fire. Just as important, designate a spot where everyone should meet, such as a neighbor’s front porch. That way, you’ll know everyone got out safely.
- Trust The Pros. It’s tempting to try to fix heating system problems by yourself – especially when there are so many helpful videos online. But today’s central heating equipment is complicated, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you can increase the risk of fire. Call a professional heating and cooling company to help.
- Maintain Your Heating System. Nardco Heating and Air Conditioning offers an affordable maintenance program in which we provide regular inspections and cleaning of your heating system. The Cool Comfort Club can help keep your home safe because regular maintenance can head off problems that might leave you shivering on the coldest day of the year.
Contact Nardco for Reliable Heating Services
The professionals at Nardco want to ensure you’re comfortable and safe this winter. For all of your heating maintenance, repair, and installation needs, contact us today.
