Five Tips for Safely Heating Your Home This Winter

During the winter, the home is a comfortable place to retreat to after a long day in the cold. The heater maintains a warm temperature inside even when the weather is nasty outdoors. However, heating your home also comes with its fair share of risks. It’s second only to cooking as one of the leading causes of residential fires. A fire caused by a heating device can be devastating, as it has the potential to destroy your home and threaten the safety of your family. That’s why it’s so important that you keep up with heating system repair in Oklahoma City, OK and follow safety precautions when heating your home.

Taking a few simple steps will help keep heating your home from turning into a traumatic event. Follow these five safety tips when heating your home this winter:

• Test your detectors: At least one carbon monoxide and smoke detector should be installed on each floor of the home. These detectors will provide a potentially lifesaving warning if they detect a carbon monoxide leak or smoke from a growing fire. Check that the detectors are functioning once a month, and change the batteries as needed.
• Change the filters: The HVAC system’s air filter needs to be changed every two to three months, if not more often. The frequency can vary based on the heater and the type of filter. The longer a filter goes without being changed, the more it begins to accumulate debris and dust. This could cause the furnace to overheat and catch fire.
• Avoid using space heaters: While space heaters offer a convenient source of heat, they can be incredibly dangerous. The heater could cause a house fire if it were to overheat or tip over unexpectedly. Take special care to keep the space heater on a flat surface and away from any fabric if it must be used. Remember to switch it off anytime you leave the room, and avoid plugging it into a power strip or an extension cord.
• Keep it clean: The area around the heater should be free of clutter. Any items stored in this space could melt or catch fire from the heating equipment. This especially pertains to any flammable materials, such as gasoline, wood, old newspapers or unused boxes.
• Be cautious when using a fireplace: Sitting around a fireplace is a wonderful way to heat your home at a reduced cost. It does pose its own risks if not done safely, though. Never use the fireplace without a screen to prevent sparks from flying out, and always have a readily available fire extinguisher. The chimney should be clean and free of any buildup. Never leave a fire unattended when leaving the house or going to bed for the night.
• Maintain the furnace: This is the best way to keep an accidental fire from starting. Have a professional inspect the unit prior to the start of the season. The technician will perform a safety check and clean away any buildup to prevent fires before performing any necessary heating system repair in Oklahoma City, OK.

Ready to schedule your inspection? Call the professionals at Dailey Heating & Air Conditioning today for heating system repair in Oklahoma City, OK.

Categorised in: Heating System Repair

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