Fire department urges safety when heating your home

As we get into the colder winter months, the Guthrie Fire Department is urges all of its residents to practice safety when heating their homes. “We have had a recent increase in the number of fires caused by heat lamps and space heaters and we’d like to remind our residents of the safety precautions necessary when using these types of devices,” according to Guthrie Fire Chief Eric Harlow.

Nearly half of all house fires caused by home heating occur during December, January and February. If you’re encountering issues with your heating, you need to contact someone like One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning. These numbers account for near 16% of all house fires. Space heaters, while safe when used properly, can also be deadly. Approximately 40% of heating device fires and nearly 85% of heating device fire deaths are caused by space heaters. Uncleaned or improperly maintained chimneys also contribute to a great number of home fires annually. If you have a heating system and you want it to be checked over then it might be a good idea to call someone like this Hillsborough, NC HVAC contractor to help you with the maintenance of your system.

Below are some recommended tips for safety when heating your home or building:

• Keep anything that can burn at least three-feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions. If you’ve just bought an immersion heater or mini water heater after reading a Bosch Tronic 2.5 Gallon Mini Tank Water Heater Review, for example, you need to ensure they are installed to meet the relevant safety guidelines. If they do not and you have an unqualified person install them whilst cutting corners, then you may put your safety at risk and also the safety of your home and loved ones.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional. If you need help finding a professional to do this, you could check https://mytrustedcontractor.home.blog for a contractor in HVAC systems.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month.