Many people consider staying warm in the winter months a top priority. Although indoor heat is more convenient than ever before, improperly used or malfunctioning heat sources rank among the leading causes of home fires. For this reason, you and your family need to know the proper safety tips for the heat source in your home.
At Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we’re experienced heating repair professionals in Broken Arrow, OK. Our team knows the ins and outs of all types of indoor heating systems. In this blog, we go over our top 9 tips for heater safety in winter. For more ways to stay cozy and safe this winter, reach out to our staff to talk about your indoor heating needs today.
#1: Keep Flammable Objects Away From Heater
Often, many people keep furnaces in specific closets or spaces that they use for storage in the warm months. Many homeowners forget to clean clutter and dust buildup in furnace spaces or around heaters, potentially leading to furnace issues or home heating fires during later use.
One of the best ways to improve heater and furnace safety in your home or business is to maintain a safety perimeter. Keep all flammable objects or materials away from heating devices and their supplies, including furnaces, wood-burning stoves, space heaters, propane, and more.
#2: Don’t Skip Annual Cleanings and Inspections
To save money, many property owners attempt to skip annual inspections and cleanings. When performed by experienced professionals, annual furnace or HVAC inspections help eliminate fire hazards like debris, dust, or damage before you heat your property for the season. Not only do these affordable inspections increase the safety of your home, but they also save you money on future repairs or breakdowns as well.
To find out how affordable and beneficial annual HVAC and furnace inspections are, reach out to our friendly staff today.
#3: Keep Air Intakes Free of Snow and Other Debris
For high-efficiency furnace owners, it’s essential to keep intake pipes free of any debris. If your home lies in a zone that experiences heavy snowfall or leaf buildup, regularly check the area around your intake pipes. Generally, intake pipes are white plastic pipes extending from the rear or side of your home. If these pipes become clogged, your furnace may overheat, causing breakdowns, fires, and other issues.
To help prevent intake pipe issues and other types of damage, always schedule regular maintenance and inspections with a reliable heating and cooling team.
#4: Place Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Alarms on Every Floor
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are among the most critical aspects of heater safety in winter or at any time of year. When correctly placed and maintained, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms often form our final defense against catastrophic fires and toxic gas buildups.
We recommend installing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms on every floor of your home or business. Educate yourself, your family, and your coworkers on the dangers of smoke, fires, and carbon monoxide buildup. Include action plans for what each person should do in the event of a fire or alarm.
Reach out to our staff for recommendations on which types of alarms to use, how to place them correctly, and more.
#5: Check Electric Space Heaters for Safety Features Before Use
Space heaters provide a convenient alternative to furnaces and other expensive heating systems. However, because these heat sources are typically small or short, they are easily knocked over. When a space heater is improperly oriented, it can cause electrical damage, sparks, or a fire.
Fortunately, manufacturers design modern space heaters with more safety features than ever before. Before purchasing a space heater for your home or space, ensure that the heater has a tilt safety feature. Devices with tilt protection turn off if tilted too far in any direction, protecting you and your space.
#6: Always Let Professionals Handle Repairs
Many property owners try to save money on HVAC, furnace, or even space heater repairs by using DIY fixes. However, mastering furnace and heating system repair involves extensive education about safety measures, dangers, and necessary tools. DIY fixes often skip all these essentials, making home fix-it jobs dangerous and potentially very expensive to fix properly.
Skip the fire risk and call in the professionals. These experts can make quick work of most repair jobs and save you time and money in the future by getting the job done safely the first time.
#7: Avoid Using Power Strips With Space Heaters
Space heaters use a lot of electricity, placing tremendous stress on an electricity source. Cheap extension cables or power bars may overheat, melt, or cause a fire if used to power a space heater.
Some power strips can handle more current than others, but the truth is that most still can’t compare to the safety and security of a grounded wall outlet. Always plug electric space heaters directly into a wall outlet to reduce fire risk.
#8: Never Leave a Space Heater Running Unattended or Overnight
If you heat your home using one or more space heaters, you may be tempted to leave these heaters running overnight. However, unattended space heaters remain one of the leading causes of home heating fires. Stay safe this winter by avoiding leaving any space heaters running unattended or overnight.
If your home or space is too cold to avoid operating a space heater unintended, reach out to an expert to learn your options for improving your space’s insulation or heating capabilities.
#9: Always Use the Right Fuel
Many property owners choose to heat their spaces using a fuel-burning heat source. To improve safety during use, always use the recommended fuel type for your heating device. Never mix fuel types and avoid DIY alterations.
Affordable Heating Services
At Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we specialize in keeping indoor spaces comfortable. From air conditioning to winter heating, we keep our clients comfortable in their spaces and within their budgets. To learn whether you should leave your heating on all day or for more information about heater safety in winter, reach out to us at 918-268-7343 today.